Reel based lacing system

ABSTRACT

A lacing system configured to selectively adjust the size of an opening on an object and allow for the incremental release of the lace within the lacing system. The lacing system can have a reel comprising a housing, a spool supported by the housing, and a knob supported by the housing. The reel can be configured so that cable is gathered in the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and so that cable can be incrementally released from the spool when the spool is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the reel can include a rotation limiter which can be configured to prevent over-tightening of the lacing system and/or to prevent rotation past the substantially fully loosened state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of Ser. No. 12/623,362, filed on Nov.20, 2009, and titled REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM, which claims the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/116,905, filed on Nov. 21, 2008, and titled REEL BASED LACING SYSTEM.The entire contents of each of the above-listed references are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

INCORPORATION

Additionally, this application hereby incorporates by reference theentirety of the following documents: U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/263,253, filed on Oct. 31, 2005 and published as U.S. ApplicationPublication No. 2006/0156517 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/650,665, filed Jan. 8, 2007 and published as U.S. ApplicationPublication No. 2007/0169378.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to lacing or closure systemsand their related components used alone or in combination in any of avariety of articles including closeable bags, footwear, protective gear,or other wear.

2. Description of the Related Art

There currently exist a number of mechanisms and methods for tighteningarticles. Nevertheless, there remains a need for improved devices andmethods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments provide a footwear lacing system. Although many of thelacing systems described herein are described in the context offootwear, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any ofthe lacing systems described herein can be used in a wide range ofarticles without undue examination or modification. As such, any of theembodiments of the lacing systems disclosed herein are intended to beused in any of a wide range articles such as, but not limited to,footwear, hats or other headwear, belts, gloves, helmets, backpacks orother packs, luggage or other bags, bindings for snowboarding, waterskiing, or other similar objects, wrist guards, and other similar orsuitable articles.

In some embodiments, the system can be configured for use with afootwear member including first and second opposing sides configured tofit around a foot. The opening can be arranged along the midline of thefoot or can be offset to the side of the midline. A plurality of laceguide members can be positioned on the opposing sides of the footwearmember. One or more laces (also referred to herein as cable or cables)can be guided by the guide members, the lace being connected to one ormore spools that can be rotatable in a winding direction andincrementally rotatable in an unwinding direction, allowing for theincremental release of lace from the spool.

In some embodiments, one or more embodiments of the spools disclosedherein can be used in conjunction with other suitable or traditionallace tightening systems, which may or may not have incremental releasecharacteristics. For example, in some embodiments, one or moreembodiments of the spools disclosed herein can be used in conjunctionwith any of the tightening systems disclosed in U.S. ApplicationPublication No. 2006-0156517, which is incorporated by reference as iffully set forth herein.

In some embodiments, the lace can be slideably positioned around theguide members to provide a dynamic fit in response to movement of thefoot within the footwear. The guide members can have a substantiallyC-shaped cross-section.

In some embodiments, the lacing system can have a spool supported withina cavity or opening formed in a housing, and a knob directly orindirectly supported by the housing. The spool can be configured toreceive one or both ends of a cable routed through the lacing system. Insome embodiments, one end of the cable can be attached to the housing.The spool can be configured to rotate in a first, winding directionrelative to the housing in response to a user winding the knob in thefirst direction relative to the housing. Additionally, the spool can beconfigured to rotate in a second, unwinding direction relative to thehousing in response to a user winding the knob in the second directionrelative to the housing.

In some embodiments, the lace or cable in a tightened or partiallytightened lacing system can result in a rotational force being exertedon the spool in the second, unwinding direction. The lacing system canbe configured so that lace can be selectively incrementally releasedfrom the spool in the second, unwinding direction as a user actuates theincremental release of the spool. In some embodiments, the incrementalrelease of the lace can be indicated by an audible noise or otherdiscernable physical click.

In some embodiments, a user can actuate the incremental release of thespool by rotating the knob in the second, unwinding direction relativeto the housing, causing arms projecting from the spool to becomedisengaged with their respective depression that each of the arms isengaged with, permitting the spool to rotate until the arms becomeengaged with the next successive depression formed in the housing. Thearms can be caused to be disengaged by deflecting the ends of the armsaway from the depressions. The user can continue to actuate theincremental release of the spool by continuing to rotate the knob in thesecond, unwinding direction relative to the housing.

In some embodiments, the spool can be fully released relative to thehousing (i.e., the spool can be unlocked relative to the housing so asto be freely rotatable in the second, unwinding direction) so that thespool can freely release lace. In some embodiments, the release can befacilitated by moving the spool away from the housing so that the armsprojecting from the spool are no longer engaged with the respectivedepressions formed in the housing. Once the desired amount of cable isreleased from the spool, the spool can be moved back toward the housingso that the arms projecting from the spool are again engaged withrespective depressions formed in the housing, so that the spool canagain be in the locked position relative to the housing so as to preventthe free rotation of the spool in the second, unwinding direction.

In some embodiments, a lacing system is provided for footwear having anupper with a lateral side and a medial side, the lacing systemcomprising at least a first lace guide attached to the lateral side ofthe upper, at least a second lace guide attached to the medial side ofthe upper, and each of the first and second lace guides comprising alace pathway, a lace slideably extending along the lace pathway of eachof the first and second lace guides. Additionally, a tightening reel ofthe footwear for retracting the lace and thereby advancing the firstlace guide towards the second lace guide to tighten the footwear can bepositioned on the footwear, and a lock can be moveable between a coupledposition and an uncoupled position wherein the lock allows the reel tobe only rotatable in a first, winding direction when the lock can beengaged, and allows the reel to be rotatable in a second, unwindingdirection when the lock is disengaged.

Some embodiments can also include a closed loop lace wherein the lacecan be mounted in the reel. Accordingly, each of the at least first andsecond lace guides comprise an open channel to receive the closed looplace. In some embodiments, the lace is releasably mounted to the reel.

According to another embodiment of the footwear lacing system, a spooland lace unit can be provided for use in conjunction with a footwearlacing system comprising a spool having ratchet teeth disposed on itsperiphery configured to interact with a pawl for inhibiting relativerotation of the spool in at least one direction, and a lace securelyattached to the spool. Optionally, the lace can be formed of alubricious polymer having a relatively low elasticity and high tensilestrength. Alternatively, the lace can be formed of a multi-strandpolymeric cable. Alternatively, the lace can be formed of a multi-strandmetallic cable, that can have a lubricious polymer casing.

Some embodiments provide a mechanism for tightening and loosening a lacecomprising a spool rotatable about a central axis and comprising aplurality of elongate members projecting away from the axis, eachelongate member having a free end. The mechanism can also include ahousing comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage the freeends of the elongate members so that as the spool is rotated in a firstdirection, the engagement of the free ends and the teeth prevent thespool from rotating in the opposite direction but do not preventrotation of the spool in the first direction so that the lace can betightened and wound around the spool. A plurality of drive members canbe configured to displace the free ends of the elongate members from theteeth when the spool is rotated in a direction opposite to the firstdirection so as to loosen the lace.

Some embodiments provide a mechanism for tightening and loosening a lacecomprising a spool rotatable about a central axis. The mechanism canalso comprise a plurality of elongate members projecting away from theaxis, each elongate member having a free end, and a plurality ofprojections also projecting away from the axis. A housing may also beprovided comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage the freeends of the elongate members so that as the spool is rotated in a firstdirection, the engagement of the free ends and the teeth prevent thespool from rotating in the opposite direction but do not preventrotation of the spool in the first direction so that the lace can betightened and wound around the spool. A knob may also be includedcomprising a plurality of drive members having first and second drivesurfaces, the first drive surfaces configured to engage the projectionsas the knob is rotated in the first direction and the second drivesurfaces configured to engage the free ends of the elongate members anddisplace them from the teeth when the knob is rotated in the oppositedirection.

Some embodiments include a stop cord which can prevent a spool frombeing over-tightened. The stop cord can wind around a separate channelfrom the lace channel as the spool rotates to tighten the lace. The stopcord's channel can be, for example, a channel formed in the spool, or achannel defined by the bottom surface of the spool and the base of thehousing so that the stop cord can wind around the shaft that the spoolrotates on. When the stop cord becomes tightly wound around its channelthe spool can be prevented from further tightening. By choosing a stopcord of appropriate length the amount that the spool is able to tightenthe lace can be limited. In some embodiments, a stop cord length can bechosen that “locks” the spool against further tightening atapproximately the position where the lace channel of the spool becomesfilled with the lace so that further tightening would risk jamming thespool. In some embodiments, the stop cord can also prevent the spoolfrom being rotated in the loosening direction after the lace has beensubstantially fully loosened.

Some embodiments provide a reel for use in a lacing system. The reel caninclude a housing that has a plurality of depressions formed therein,and a spool supported by the housing. The spool can include one or morearms extending therefrom and an annular channel formed therein. The reelcan also include a knob supported by the housing. The reel can beconfigured so that the spool gathers cable in the channel formed in thespool when the spool is rotated in a first direction relative to thehousing. The reel can also be configured so that cable can be releasedfrom the channel formed in the spool when the spool is rotated in asecond direction relative to the housing. In some embodiments, each ofthe arms extending from the spool defines an unrestrained end portion.Each end portion can be configured to be selectively engageable witheach of the plurality of depressions so as to prevent the spool fromrotating in the second direction relative to the housing when one ormore of the arms is in a relaxed, undisplaced position. In someembodiments, each of the arms is configured so as to not substantiallyimpede the rotatability of the spool in the first direction relative tothe housing. The knob can be configured such that, when the knob isrotated in the second direction relative to the housing, the knob causeseach of the arms extending from the spool to deflect from the relaxedposition of each of the arms so as to disengage each of the arms fromthe each of the respective depressions with which each of the arms isengaged.

Some embodiments provide a method of gathering and releasing cable froma cable reel. The method can include providing a reel that includes ahousing having a plurality of depressions formed therein. The reel caninclude a spool supported by the housing configured to gather cablearound a portion of the spool when the spool is rotated in a firstdirection relative to the housing and configured to incrementallyrelease an incremental portion of the cable when the spool is rotated ina second direction that is opposite the first direction relative to thehousing. The reel can also include a knob supported by the housing. Themethod can also include rotating the spool relative to the housing in afirst direction so as to retract a portion of a cable into the reel bywrapping the cable around a portion of the spool. The method can alsoinclude rotating the spool relative to the housing in a second directionthat is opposite the first direction so as to incrementally release anincremental portion of the cable from the reel. In some embodiments, arotational position of the spool relative to the housing is selectivelylockable in the second direction but not the first direction.

Some embodiments provide a reel for use in a lacing system. The reel caninclude a housing and a spool rotatably supported by the housing. Thespool can include an annular lace channel formed therein, and the spoolcan be configured to gather lace into the annular lace channel when thespool is rotated. The reel can further include a stop cord configured towrap around an annular stop cord channel when the spool is rotated, thestop cord having a length selected to prevent over-tightening of thelace.

Some embodiments provide a method of preventing over-tightening of alacing system. The method can include rotating a spool relative to ahousing thereby gathering lace into an annular lace channel formed inthe spool, causing a stop cord to wind around an annular stop cordchannel as the spool rotates relative to the housing, and tightening thestop cord around the annular stop cord channel thereby preventingfurther rotation of the spool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a reel based lacingsystem.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sport shoe comprising the embodimentof the reel based lacing system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the reelbased lacing system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the housing of theembodiment of the reel based lacing system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of the housing shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment of the housing shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cover member that canbe coupled to the embodiment of the housing shown in FIGS. 4-6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the housing shown inFIGS. 4-6 without the embodiment of the cover member shown in FIG. 7attached, showing a portion of lace threaded through a portion of theembodiment of the housing.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of another embodimentof a housing, showing a portion of lace threaded through a portion ofthe embodiment of the housing.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the spool member ofshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the embodiment of the spool member shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the spool member shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the embodiment ofthe spool member shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the embodiment of the spool member shown inFIG. 3 positioned in the embodiment of the housing shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the spool member shown inFIG. 3, illustrating a portion of lace supported by the spool member.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the embodiment of the spool member shown inFIG. 3, illustrating a portion of lace supported by the spool member.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the top portion of the embodiment ofthe knob shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the embodiment ofthe knob shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the knob shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a knob that canbe used with the embodiment of the lacing system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a knob thatcan be used with the embodiment of the lacing system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the embodiment of the lacing system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 24 is a section view of the embodiment of the lacing system shownin FIG. 1, taken through line 24-24 of FIG. 23, showing the lacingsystem being rotated in a first direction.

FIG. 25 is a section view of the embodiment of the lacing system shownin FIG. 1, taken through line 25-25 of FIG. 23, showing the lacingsystem being rotated in a second direction.

FIG. 26 is a top view of another embodiment of a spool member that canbe configured to be used in any of the lacing systems disclosed herein.

FIG. 27 is a side view of another embodiment of a reel based lacingsystem, having the embodiment of the spool member illustrated in FIG.26.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of some of the components of thelacing system shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a section view of the embodiment of the lacing system shownin FIG. 27, taken through line 29-29 FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view the embodiment of the guide memberillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the guide memberillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the lacing systemillustrated in FIG. 1, showing the lace in a loosened state.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the lacing systemillustrated in FIG. 32, having a modified guide member.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lacing system,having multiple guide members.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guide memberassembly.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the partially exploded assemblycomprising the embodiment of the guide member assembly shown in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of certain elements of anotherembodiment of a lacing system.

FIG. 38 is a section view of the lacing system illustrated in FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a section view of the lacing system illustrated in FIG. 38taken along the line 39-39.

FIG. 40 is a section view of the lacing system illustrated in FIG. 38taken along the line 40-40.

FIG. 41 is another section view of the lacing system illustrated in FIG.37.

FIG. 42 is a section view of the lacing system illustrated in FIG. 41taken along the line 42-42.

FIG. 43 is a section view of the lacing system illustrated in FIG. 41taken along the line 43-43.

FIG. 44 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a lacewinder.

FIG. 45 is a top view of the lace winder illustrated in FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a section view of the lace winder illustrated in FIG. 45taken along the line 46-46.

FIG. 47 is a top view of a housing component of the lace winderillustrated in FIG. 44.

FIG. 48 is a section view of the housing illustrated in FIG. 47 takenalong the line 48-48.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the housing illustrated in FIG. 44.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a spring element illustrated in FIG.44.

FIG. 51 is a perspective, section view of a partially explodedembodiment of a knob assembly.

FIG. 52 is a section view of the embodiment of the knob assemblyillustrated in FIG. 51, showing the knob assembly in a tightening mode.

FIG. 53 is a section view of the embodiment of the knob assemblyillustrated in FIG. 51, showing the knob assembly in a loosening mode.

FIGS. 54A-54H are perspective views of various exemplary articles ofmanufacture suitable for use with any embodiments of the lacing systemsdisclosed or incorporated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a reel based lacingsystem 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sport shoe comprising theembodiment of the reel based lacing system 10 shown in FIG. 1. The sportshoe can be an athletic shoe, including a running shoe, basketball shoeor otherwise, an ice skating or other action sport shoe, a snowboardingboot, or any other suitable footwear that can be tightened around awearer's foot (collectively referred to as a shoe or sport shoe). Thelacing system 10 can be removably mounted to the front, back, top, side,or any other suitable portion of the sport shoe. FIG. 3 is an explodedperspective view of the embodiment of the reel based lacing system ofFIG. 1.

Any of the embodiments of the lacing systems disclosed herein, or anysuitable component or feature of the lacing systems disclosed herein,can be used with any of the closure or reel systems described in any ofthe documents incorporated herein by reference. Any of the embodiments,components, or features of the lacing systems disclosed or incorporatedherein can be combined to create additional embodiments of lacingsystems not explicitly described herein or in the disclosuresincorporated herein, forming new embodiments that are contemplated asbeing a part of the present disclosure.

Additionally, although various embodiments of lacing systems aredescribed herein, the various components, features, or other aspects ofthe embodiments of the lacing systems described herein can be combinedor interchanged to form additional embodiments of lacing systems notexplicitly described herein, all of which are contemplated as being apart of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the lacing system 10 can include a housing12, a spool 14, a knob 16, a fastener 18, a lace member or cable 20, anda lace guide or guide member 22. As used herein, the terms lace andcable have the same meaning unless specified otherwise. As shown in FIG.2, in some embodiments, the lacing system 10 can be used with otherlacing or tightening systems such as, for example and withoutlimitation, tightening system 23 having lace 25, heal-mounted lacewinder 21, and lace guides 24, 26. Other suitable or desired lace guidescan be supported by the sport shoe in any desired position for routingthe lace 20, lace 25, or any other lace over portions of the sport shoe.Typically, the housing 12, tightening system 23, and guides 22, 24, 26,will be attached to the outer shell of the sport shoe, but the sportshoe can have additional guides supported by the tongue of the sportshoe through which the lace 20 can be threaded. In some embodiments,more or fewer than the number of lace guides shown in FIG. 2 can beattached to the sport shoe. As will be described in greater detailbelow, in some embodiments, one end of the lace 20 can be fixed to thehousing 12, while the other end of the lace 20 can be threaded throughthe lace guides attached to the sport shoe and be attached to the spool16 so as to permit the lace 20 to be tightened around the spool 16 whenthe knob 18 is turned. In some embodiments, the lace 25 can be omitted,and the lace 20 can be threaded through the guides 24 and 26 such thatthe lacing system 10 can operate to tighten the tightening system 23 aswell as to draw the guide 22 closer to the housing 12.

The lace 20 can be a low friction lace that slides easily through theboot and/or lace guides and automatically equilibrates tightening of theboot over the length of the lacing zone, which can extend along theankle and foot. Although the present embodiments will be described withreference to a sport shoe, as mentioned above, it is to be understoodthat the principles discussed herein are readily applicable to any of awide variety of footwear, outer wear, bags, bindings, or other similaror suitable objects.

Generally, the lace 20 can be tensioned to draw the guide 22 closer tothe housing 12. Similarly, the tightening system 23 can be tensioned todraw the guides 24, 26 closer to one another. Thus, references herein todrawing opposing sides of footwear towards each other refers to theportion of the footwear designed to be drawn together to hold thefootwear to the foot of a user. Often, these portions of the footwearare disposed along a centerline on the sides of the foot. In someembodiments, access to the footwear is disposed off the centerline ofthe footwear, for example, to the side of the centerline or at the rearof the footwear. This reference can be thus generic to footwear in whichopposing edges remain spaced apart even when tight (e.g. tennis shoes)and footwear in which opposing edges can overlap when tight (e.g.certain snow skiing boots). In both, tightening can be accomplished bydrawing opposing sides of the footwear towards each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lace 20 can be threaded through a guide 22located on the shell of the sport shoe on the opposite side of thetongue of the sport shoe from the housing 12. As also illustrated inFIG. 2 and mentioned above, the reel based lacing system 10 can be usedin conjunction with any other suitable or desired tightening system orsystems, such as but not limited to the heel mounted tightening system23 illustrated in FIG. 2 and disclosed more fully in U.S. ApplicationPublication No. 2006-0156517.

As illustrated, the tightening system 23 can be threaded through theheel or ankle portion, or other portions of the sport shoe. Thetightening system 23 can have lace 25 that can slide through the guides24, 26 during tightening and untightening of the lace 25, and can form acrossing pattern along the midline of the foot between the guides 24,26. In the illustrated embodiment, three guides 22, 24, 26 are attachedto the sport shoe. However, any suitable number of guides can beattached to the sport shoe. In some embodiments, three, four, five, orsix or more guides can be positioned on each side of the boot, each ofthe guides being similar or different to one another. In someembodiments, more than one reel based lacing system 10 can be mounted atdifferent locations on a shoe, each reel based lacing system having laceand a guide (such as, but not limited to, guide 22) mounted at variouslocations on the shoe.

The housing 12, tightening system 23, and any of the guides, includingguides 22, 24, 26, can be attached to the sport shoe by any suitablefastener or fastening method including but not limited to rivets,screws, pins, stitching, adhesives, or by using other suitable fastenersor fastening methods. As will be described in greater detail below, thehousing 12 and the guides 22, 24, 26, can be sized and shaped, orotherwise configured, to be suitable for any type of sport shoe, shoe,or other object to which the housing and guides will be attached, orbased on other performance characteristics such as tension requirements,weight, size, or other considerations. In some embodiments, stitchingthe housing 12 or guides 22, 24, 26 directly to the outer shell of thesport shoe can permit optimal control over the force distribution alongthe length of the guides. For example, when the lace 20 is underrelatively high levels of tension, the guides can tend to want to bendand to possibly even kink or buckle. Bending of the guide member undertension can increase friction between the guide member and the lace 20,and, severe bending or kinking of the guides can undesirably interferewith the intended operation of the lacing system. Thus, the size,materials, and shape of the housing 12 and/or guides, as well as theattachment mechanism for attaching the housing 12 and/or guides to thesport shoe, can have a bearing on the ability of the housing 12 and/orguides to resist bending and/or kinking.

In some embodiments, the footwear lacing system 10 described herein canallow a user to incrementally tighten the boot around the user's foot.In some embodiments, the low friction lace 20 combined with low frictionguide members can produce easy sliding of lace 20 within the guidemembers. The lace 20 can equilibrate tension along its length so thatthe lacing system 10 can provide an even distribution of tighteningpressure across the foot. As will be described in greater detail below,the tightening pressure can be incrementally adjusted by turning theknob 16 relative to the housing 12. For example, in some embodiments, aswill be described in greater detail below, a user can incrementallytighten the lacing system 10 and, hence, the sport shoe, by turning theknob 16 in a first direction relative to the housing 12. Similarly, insome embodiments, a user can incrementally loosen the lacing system 10and, hence, the sport shoe, by turning the knob 16 in a second directionrelative to the housing 12. In some embodiments, a user can also loosenthe lacing system 10 by lifting or pressing the knob 16 so as todisengage the spool 14 from the housing 12 or operating any alternativerelease mechanism to automatically release the lace 20 from the spool14.

With reference to FIG. 3, the spool member 14 can be supported withinthe depression 28 formed in the housing 12. As will be described ingreater detail below, in some embodiments, the spool 14 and the housing12 can be configured so that the spool 14 generally freely rotates in afirst direction (a tightening direction) relative to the housing 12.Additionally, in some embodiments, the spool 14 and the housing 12 canbe configured so that the spool 14 is generally restrained from freelyrotating in a second direction (a loosening direction) relative to thehousing 12. The knob 16 can be mechanically coupled to the housing 12using the fastener 18 or any other suitable fastener or fasteningmethod. In some embodiments, the knob 16 can be coupled to the housing12 so that the knob 16 is axially restrained but rotationally free sothat the knob 16 can generally freely rotate relative to the housing 12except as described herein.

The knob 16 can be configured to drive the spool member 14 in a firstdirection to gather lace 20 on the spool 14 so as to tighten the lacingsystem 10. Additionally, the knob 16 can be configured to drive thespool member 14 in a second direction so as to cause the spool member 14to incrementally release lace 20 that has gathered on the spool 14 so asto incrementally loosen the lacing system 10. Therefore, in someembodiments, the spool member 14 can be configured to serve the functionof gathering lace 20 as the lacing system 10 is tightened, and also canbe configured to function with features on the housing 12 and knob 16 toprovide for the incremental release of lace 20 of the lacing system 10when the lacing system 10 is loosened.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the housing 12 of theembodiment of the reel based lacing system 10 of FIG. 1. FIGS. 5 and 6are a side view and top view, respectively, of the embodiment of thehousing 12 shown in FIG. 4. With reference to FIGS. 4-6, in someembodiments, the housing 12 can comprise a mounting flange 30 that canbe configured to permit the housing 12 to be attached to the sport shoe.The mounting flange 30 can be configured in accordance with the desiredmounting method or mounting fasteners, the contour shape of the sportshoe or other object to which it is to be fastened, the performancecharacteristics of the lacing system 10, or other factors. For example,as shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the mounting flange 30 can be curved tofacilitate attaching the housing 12 to a curved surface of the sportshoe or other objects to which the housing 12 can be mounted.Additionally, as mentioned, the mounting flange 30 can be sized andconfigured to accommodate stitching, rivets, or any other suitable ordesired fasteners or fastening method to fasten the housing 12 to thedesired object.

In some embodiments, the housing 12 can be configured so as to bemountable to the sport shoe or other object without the existence or useof the flange 30. For example, in some embodiments (not shown), when thehousing 12 does not have a flange 30, screws or other fasteners can beused to mount the housing 12 to the sport shoe or other desired objectby threading into a bottom surface of the housing 12. In someembodiments, a housing 12 with a flange 30 can be attached to the sportshoe or other object using screws.

With reference to FIG. 4, the housing 12 further comprises a pair oflace inlet openings 32. The lace inlet openings 32 can be configured topermit the lace 20 to be threaded into the housing 12. Depending on thedesired configuration of the lacing system 10, for example, in someembodiments, the portion of the lace 20 (not shown) that is desired tobe wound around the spool 14 can enter the housing 12 through the laceinlet 32 a, while the portion of the lace 20 that enters the housing 12through the lace inlet 32 b can be anchored to the housing 12 so that itis not wound around the spool 14 when the spool 14 is rotated relativeto the housing 12. Additionally, in some embodiments, the portion of thelace 20 (not shown) that is desired to be wound around the spool 14 canenter the housing 12 through the lace inlet 32 b, while the portion ofthe lace 20 that enters the housing 12 through the lace inlet 32 a canbe anchored to the housing 12 so that it is not wound around the spool14 when the spool 14 is rotated relative to the housing 12.Additionally, some embodiments of the lacing system 10 can be configuredsuch that the portions of the lace 20 (not shown) entering both of thelace inlets 32 a, 32 b are wrapped around the spool 14, which can be asingle layer spool, a double layer spool or otherwise.

As will be described in greater detail below, one or more of theopenings 32 can be configured to provide a conduit for lace 20 to bethreaded through the housing 12 so as to be in communication with thedepression 28. In this configuration, lace 20 threaded through either orboth of the openings 32 can be threaded into the depression 28 of thehousing 12 so that it can be wound around the spool 14 as the spool 14is rotated relative to the housing 12. Additionally, in someembodiments, one or more of the openings 32 can be configured to routethe lace 20 through the housing 12 into a channel or other object thatallows an end portion of the lace 20 that is not intended to be woundaround the spool 14 to be anchored or otherwise secured to the housing12. In some embodiments, the lacing system 10 can be configured suchthat only one end of the lace 20 is attached to the housing 12.

Some embodiments of the housing 12 can comprise a shaft 34 that canproject from the depression 28 and, as will be described, can provide agenerally cylindrical supporting surface for the spool 14. The shaft 34can provide a supporting surface about which the spool 14 can freelyrotate. In some embodiments, the shaft 34 can be fixed to the housing soas to not rotate relative to the housing 12. However, in someembodiments, the shaft 34 can be configured so as to rotate freelyrelative to the housing 12 to further facilitate the free rotation ofthe spool 14 relative to the housing. As shown in FIG. 4, the shaft 34can also have an opening 36 that can be generally coaxially aligned withthe longitudinal axis of the shaft 34. The opening 36 can be configuredto receive the fastener 18 or other fastener used to couple the knob 16to the housing 12. In some embodiments, the opening 36 can be threaded.In some embodiments, the opening 36 can be unthreaded but configured sothat, when a threaded fastener such as the fastener 18 is rotationallyinserted into the opening, the fastener 18 threads into the opening 36so as to generally axially secure the fastener 18 to the shaft 34. Insome embodiments, the knob 16 can be coupled to housing 12 using a rivetformed from plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. In someembodiments, the fastener 18 can be ultrasonically welded to the housing12 to attach the knob 16 to the housing 12.

With reference to FIG. 4, the housing 12 can have a generallycylindrical shaped wall 38 projecting generally coaxially with the shaft34. The interior space between the wall 38 and the shaft 34 defines thevolume of space referred to above as the cavity or depression 28. Aplurality of radially positioned notches or depressions 40 can be formedon an inside surface of the wall 38 so as to form a series of radiallyposition ratcheting teeth 41 for controlling the incremental rotation ofthe spool 14, as will be described in greater detail below. In theillustrated embodiment, the depressions 40 can define a generallytriangular cross-sectional shape. However, the shape, size, or otherdetails of the depressions 40 are not confined to those shown in FIG. 4.The depressions can define any shape, size, or other configurationsuitable for controlling the rotation of the spool 14 as describedherein. For example, in some embodiments, the points of the teeth 41projecting from the depressions 40 can be rounded. Additionally, thecorners of the depressions 40 can have a rounded but generallytriangular shape.

In some embodiments, any number of depressions 40 can be formed in thewall 38. The number of depressions 40 that can be formed in the wall 38can affect the level of adjustability of the lacing system 10 in bothtightening and loosening since, as will be described in greater detail,the depressions can provide stops or ratchet points which can secure aportion of the spool member 14 in any of the multitude of depressions40. Thus, increasing the number of uniformly spaced depressions 40 candecrease the amount of angular rotation required by the spool 14relative to the housing 12 for the spool 14 to move relative to each ofthe depressions 40. As the size of the housing 12 increases, the size ofthe depressions 40 formed in the wall 38 can also be increased tomaintain the same amount of angular rotation required by the spool 14relative to the housing 12 for the spool 14 to move from one depression40 to the next depression 40.

In the illustrated embodiment, approximately 33 depressions 40 can beformed in the wall 38 of the housing 12. In some embodiments, betweenapproximately 33 and approximately 40 or more depressions can be formedin the wall of the housing 12. In some embodiments, betweenapproximately 25 or less and approximately 33 depressions 40 can beformed in the wall of the housing 12. However, any desired number ofdepressions 40 can be formed in the housing 12. In general, the degreeof adjustability can be controlled by the number of depressions 40. Withmore depressions, each step of the spool 14 along those depressions 40is reduced and therefore the incremental amount of tension applied to orreleased from the system is reduced. Similarly, decreasing the number ofdepressions 40 increases the distance between steps and increases theincremental tension applied to or released from the system with eachstep.

The angle A defining each depression 40 can be uniform such that theshape of each depression 40 is substantially the same. In someembodiments, the angle A defining each depression 40 can be an obtuseangle (greater than 90 degrees), as shown in FIG. 6. In someembodiments, the angle A defining each depression 40 can beapproximately 100 degrees, or can be between approximately 90 degrees orless and approximately 100 degrees, or between approximately 90 degreesand approximately 100 degrees, or between approximately 100 degrees andapproximately 110 degrees, or between approximately 110 degrees andapproximately 120 degrees or more.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cover member 50 thatcan be coupled to the embodiment of the housing 12 shown in FIGS. 4-6.FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the housing 12 shownin FIGS. 4-6 without the cover member 50 attached, showing a portion oflace 20 threaded through a portion of the housing 12. In someembodiments, as is shown in FIG. 6, the cover member 50 can be coupledto the housing 12 to substantially enclose a portion of the housing 12adjacent to the wall 38 that provides the receiving area for an endportion the lace 20, as is shown in FIG. 8. The cover member 50 can beremovable from the housing 12 so that a user or manufacturer can haveaccess to the end portion of the lace 20 threaded through the housing 12to for example, without limitation, have the ability to replace the lace20.

In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the lace 20 can bewoven through a series of three or more openings (not shown) formed inthe housing 12 or woven through any suitable geometry that substantiallyprevents the lace 20 from becoming inadvertently removed from thehousing 12. Each opening can cause the lace 22 to be deflected over anedge that defines an angle between approximately 30 and approximately100 degrees, which can create a sufficient level of friction to preventthe lace 20 from becoming disengaged from the housing 12. In thismanner, one of the end portions of the lace 20 can be anchored to thehousing 12. A free end of the lace 20 can then be passed under a loop oflace 20 created by weaving the lace through the three or more openings.In some embodiments, the lace 20 can be woven through a greater orlesser number of openings to properly anchor or secure the end portionof the lace 20 to the housing 12.

Additionally, the lace 20 can be knotted or an anchor member can beremovably or non-removably attached to the end portion of the lace 20 toprevent the lace 20 from inadvertently sliding out of the housing 12. Insome embodiments, a labyrinth knot can be used to secure the end portionof the lace 20 to the housing 12. After the end portion of the lace 20has been sufficiently secured to the housing 12, the cover member 50 canbe removably or non-removably attached or affixed to the housing 12.With reference to FIG. 7, some embodiments the cover member 50 candefine a tabbed protrusion 52 and tabbed protrusions 54 that can beconfigured to engage with suitable complementary features on the housing12 to prevent the inadvertent removal of the cover member 50.

FIG. 9, which is a perspective view of the bottom portion of anotherembodiment of a housing 12, shows a portion of lace 20 threaded througha portion of the embodiment of the housing 12. In this embodiment, aknot 20 a can be formed in the end portion of the lace 20 to prevent thelace 20 from being inadvertently pulled through the opening 32 b as thelacing system 10 is being tightened or otherwise. In some embodiments,an anchor member (not shown) having a size and geometry that is largerthan the size and geometry of the cross-section of the opening 32 b canbe attached to the end portion of the lace 20 to prevent the lace 20from becoming inadvertently pulled out or removed from the housing 12.For example, without limitation, a spherical or other shaped object canbe molded on the end of the lace 20, the object being sized andconfigured to prevent the lace 20 from becoming inadvertently pulled outof or removed from the housing 12. In some embodiments, the objectmolded on the end of the lace 20 can be a melted ball.

In this configuration, a user can have access to the knot or anchormember attached to the lace 20 in order to remove and replace the lace20 of the lacing system 10. While, in the configuration shown in FIG. 9,the user can access the knot 20 a by accessing the bottom surface of thehousing 12, in some embodiments, the housing 12 can be configured sothat the knot 20 a can be accessed from the top surface or top portionof the housing 12 so that a user is not required to remove the housing12 from the sport shoe or other object in order to remove and replacethe lace 20. In some embodiments, the lacing system 10 can be configuredsuch that any knot (for example, but not limited to, knot 20 a) or otherend portion of the lace 20 can be accessed from the top or externalportion of the housing 12. In some embodiments one end of the lace 20can be attached to the housing 12 using an adhesive and/or the other endof the lace 20 can be attached to the spool 14 using an adhesive.

In some embodiments, one end of the lace 20 can be attached to the spoolmember 14, while the distal end of the lace 20 can be attached to thearticle to which the lace system 10 is supported, the distal end of thelace 20 being attached to a portion of the object that is peripheral tothe housing 12 and spool member 14 so that only one end of the lace 20is routed through the housing 12 and/or spool member 14.

FIGS. 10-12 are a perspective view, top view, and bottom view,respectively, of the embodiment of the spool member of the lacing systemshown in FIG. 3. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bottom portion ofthe embodiment of the spool member 14 shown in FIG. 3. As most clearlyshown in FIGS. 10-11, in some embodiments, the spool member 14 can haveone or more driven members or projections 60 and one or more pawls 62(also referred to herein as arms). In the illustrated embodiment, thespool member 14 can have three driven members 60 and three pawls 62. Insome embodiments, as in the illustrated embodiment, the number of pawls62 can correspond with the number of driven members 60. In someembodiments, the number of pawls 62 can be different than the number ofdriven members 60. In some embodiments, the spool member 14 can haveless than or greater than three driven members 60 and/or pawls 62.

Additionally, the spool member 14 can have an opening 64 having acenterline axis that is generally aligned with the symmetricalcenterline axis of the spool member 14. With reference to FIGS. 10-13,the opening 64 can be generally cylindrical in shape and sized andconfigured to be slightly larger than the outer surface of the shaft 34of the housing 12. In this configuration, the spool member 14 can besupported by the housing 12 so that the opening 64 of the spool member14 is positioned around the outside of the shaft 34 of the housing 12and so that the spool member 14 is able to freely rotate around theshaft 34 of the housing.

As most clearly shown in FIG. 11, the spool member 14 can be configuredsuch that each of the pawls 62 is essentially a cantilevered tab orprotrusion having an unsupported end portion 62 a while having asupported base portion 62 b that can provide moment support to the baseportion 62 b of the pawl 62. As such, the spool member 14 can beconfigured so as to prevent each of the pawls 62 from pivoting at thebase portion 62 b of each of the pawls 62. Additionally, as shown inFIG. 11, the spool 14 can be configured such that each of the pawls 62is positioned so as to form an approximately 90 degree angle relative toa radial line projecting from the center point of the generally circularspool member 14 and intersecting with the base portion 62 b of each ofthe pawls 62. In particular, with reference to FIG. 11, each of thepawls 62 can be positioned such that a centerline of each of the pawls62 (represented by line L1) forms an approximately 90 degree angle(represented by angle A2) relative to the line L2 projecting from theapproximate center point of the spool member 14 when line L2 intersectswith the base portion 62 b of each of the pawls 62. Additionally, eachof the pawls 62 can be sized, positioned, and configured so as to bendor deflect a desired amount relative to the centerline L1 of the relaxedpawl 62 without obstruction from other components or features of thespool member 14, such as, but not limited to, the driven members 60.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the embodiment of the spool member 14 shown inFIG. 3 positioned in the depression 28 of the embodiment of the housing12 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 14.With reference to FIGS. 14-15, the end portions 62 a of each of thepawls 62 can be sized and configured so as to settle into each of thedepressions 40 formed in the wall 38 of the housing 12 (i.e., such thatthe end portions 62 a abut against the first surface 40 a of each of thedepressions 40, as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 15). In thisconfiguration, when each of the pawls 62 is engaged with each of thedepressions 40 as described above, the spool member 14 can be preventedfrom rotating in a second direction (represented by arrow D2 in FIG. 14)relative to the housing 12.

As mentioned above, the pawls 62 and the depressions 40 can be sized andconfigured so that the end portions 62 a of each of the pawls 62 do notengage with the first surfaces 40 a of each of the depressions 40 as thespool member 14 is rotated in a first direction (represented by arrow D1in FIG. 14) relative to the housing 12. However, in this configuration,the pawls 62 can contact each of the teeth or protrusions 44 as thespool member 14 is rotated in a first direction D1. In this manner, thepawls 62 and depressions 40 can be configured to generally allow thespool member 14 to generally freely rotate in the first direction D1 totighten the lacing system 10, while being incrementally releasable, aswill be described in greater detail below, so as to allow the spoolmember 14 to rotate incrementally in a second direction D2 toincrementally release the tension in the lacing system 10. As mentionedabove, with reference to FIG. 15, the end portion 62 a of each of thepawls 62 can be configured to contact and abut the first surface 40 a ofeach of the depressions 40, which would inhibit the spool member 14 fromrotating in the second direction D2 relative to the housing 12. In someembodiments, the depressions 40 can be sized and shaped so that one ormore surfaces of the depression 40 are approximately perpendicular tolongitudinal axis of the pawls 62.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are a bottom view and a side view, respectively, of theembodiment of the spool member 14 shown in FIG. 3 illustrating a portionof lace 20 supported by the spool member 14. The end portion of the lace20 can be attached to the spool member 14 using any of a number ofsuitable fasteners or fastening means, including those described abovein connection with attaching the lace 20 to the housing 12. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16-17, the end portion of the lace 20can be threaded through the opening 68 in the bottom portion 66 of thespool member 14 and routed through a first channel 72 and then a secondchannel 74 formed in the spool member 14 as illustrated. In particular,the lace 20 can be routed through the spool member 14 so that the lace20 is routed through the first channel 72, then forms an approximately180 degree bend, and is then routed so that the end portion 20 a of thelace 20 is positioned within the channel 72 formed in spool 14. In thismanner, the end portion 20 a of the lace 20 can be secured to the spoolmember 14. However, as mentioned above, any other suitable fasteners orfastening methods can be used to secure the lace 22 the spool member 14.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 17, as the spool 14 is turned in atightening direction relative to the housing 12, lace 20 can be woundaround the channel 78 formed in the spool 14. The channel 78 can beconfigured to receive lace as the lace is gathered by the spool 14. Asis illustrated in FIG. 17, the channel 78 can have a radially outwardlyfacing surface 79 having an approximately semicircular, “C” shaped, or“U” shaped cross-section for receiving the lace 20, or any othersuitable cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, the spool member14 can have a channel 78 configured to wind the lace 20 in generally asingle plane or level. However, in some embodiments, the spool membercan have more than one channel 78 each configured to wind the lace 20 ingenerally a single plane. Additionally, in some embodiments, the size ofthe channel 78 can be increased so that multiple levels or layers oflace 20 can be wound around the spool 14.

FIGS. 18-19 are a perspective view of the top and bottom portions,respectively, of the embodiment of the knob 16 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 20is a bottom view of the embodiment of the knob 16 shown in FIG. 1. Withreference to FIGS. 18-20, in some embodiments, the knob 16 can be formedfrom a generally rigid body member 80 and can optionally have a rubberovermold or overlay 82 to increase the user's grip of the knob 16.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a knob 16′ thatcan be used with the embodiment of the lacing system 10 shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 22 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a knob 16″that can be used with the embodiment of the lacing system 10 shown inFIG. 1. With reference to FIGS. 21-22, in some embodiments, each of theknobs 16′, 16″ can have a generally rigid body member 80 and a rubberoverlay 82′, 82″, respectively, having raised portions 84 configured toincrease a user's grip of the knobs 16′, 16″ or otherwise enhance auser's ability to rotate the knobs 16′, 16″.

Each of the knobs disclosed herein can have an opening 86 formed in thebody member 80 so as to be coaxial with the centerline of the knob 16.The opening 86 can be sized and configured to receive a fastener member,such as the fastener member 18 illustrated in FIG. 1, for coupling theknob 16 to the housing 12. In some embodiments, the lacing system 10,including the housing 12, the spool member 14, the knob 16, and thefastener 18 can be configured so that the spool member 14 and the knob16 are generally axially coupled to the housing 12 by the fastener 18,while permitting the spool member 14 and the knob 16 to generally rotatefreely relative to the housing 12, except as affected by the interactionof the pawls 62 of the spool member 14 with the depressions 40 formed inthe housing 12, as described above.

With reference to FIGS. 19-20, the knob 16 can have one or moreprotrusions or drive members 88 formed on the body member 80 protrudingdownwardly from the generally planar bottom surface 80 a of the bodymember 80. As most clearly illustrated in FIG. 20, each of the drivemembers 88 can define a generally arcuate or partially cylindricalshape, with the centerline of the arc or partial cylinder being coaxialwith the centerline of the knob 16 and opening 86. Additionally, each ofthe drive members 88 can define a first end portion 88 a and a secondend portion 88 b. In some embodiments, the geometry and size of thefirst end portion 88 a can be the same as or similar to the geometry andsize of the second end portion 88 b. However, in some embodiments, as inthe illustrated embodiment, the geometry and size of the first endportion 88 a can be different as compared to the geometry and size ofthe second end portion 88 b. In particular, with reference to FIG. 20,the first end portion 88 a of each drive member 88 can define agenerally flat end surface, while the second end portion 88 b of eachdrive member 88 can define a generally angled, planar end surface.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the embodiment of the lacing system 10 shownin FIG. 1. FIGS. 24, 25 are section views of the embodiment of thelacing system 10 shown in FIG. 1, taken through lines 24-24 and 25-25,respectively, of FIG. 23. With reference to FIGS. 24-25, the method ofrotating the spool member 14 and, hence, tightening or incrementallyloosening the lacing system 10, will now be described in greater detail.

FIG. 24 illustrates the interaction between the drive members 88 of theknob 16 with the driven members 60 of the spool member 14, as the spoolmember 14 is rotated in the first direction (represented by arrow D1 inFIG. 24). In particular, the lacing system 10 can be configured suchthat, when a user rotates the knob 16 in the first direction D1, thefirst end portion 88 a of each of the drive members 88 formed on theknob 16 can contact each of the driven members 60 formed on the spoolmember 14 so as to transfer the rotational force from the knob 16 to thespool 14 and, hence, rotate the spool member 14 in the first directionD1. As the spool member 14 is rotated in the first direction D1, each ofthe pawls 62 formed on the spool member 14 can be bent or deflected awayfrom each of the protrusions or teeth 41 formed in the wall 38 of thehousing 12, because the pawls 62 can be sufficiently flexible for suchdeflection.

When the user stops rotating the knob 16 so as to eliminate therotational force that the user exerts on the knob 16, the tensioncreated in the tightened lace system 10 can exert a force on the spoolmember 14 that tends to rotate the spool member 14 in the second,loosening direction D2. The lacing system 10 can be configured tocounteract this loosening force. In some embodiments, the lacing system10 can be configured such that the pawls 62 are engaged by thedepressions 40 (as illustrated in FIGS. 14-15) to inhibit or prevent thespool member 14 from rotating in the loosening direction. When the pawls62 are engaged by the depressions 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 14-15, thespool 14 can be generally prevented from rotating in the looseningdirection until the pawls 62 are disengaged from the depressions 40. Insome embodiments, the pawls 62 can be disengaged from the depressions 40by deflecting the end portions 62 a of each of the pawls 62 so as tomove the end portions 62 a of each of the pawls 62 from the depressions40, as will be described below.

FIG. 25 illustrates the interaction between the drive members 88 of theknob 16 with the driven members 60 of the spool member 14, as the knob16 and the spool member 14 are rotated in the second direction(represented by arrow D2 in FIG. 25). In particular, the lacing system10 can be configured such that, when a user rotates the knob 16 in thesecond direction D2, the second end portion 88 b of each of the drivemembers 88 formed on the knob 16 contacts each of the pawls 62 formed onthe spool member 14. As the second end portion 88 b of each of the drivemembers 88 formed on the knob 16 continues to exert a pressure on eachof the pawls 62, the end portions 62 a of each of the pawls 62 can bedeflected from the engaged position with respect to the depressions 40to a position where the end portions 62 a of each of the pawls 62 can berotated past each of the teeth 41 formed in the housing 12 in the seconddirection D2, as illustrated in FIG. 25.

If the lacing system 10 is under tension so that the laces 20 exert arotational force on the spool 14, when end portions 62 a of each of thepawls 62 are deflected from the engaged position with respect to thedepressions 40, the lacing system 10 can be configured such that thespool 14 rotates in the second direction D2 and such that each of thepawls 62 engages with the next successive depression 40. In other words,with reference to FIG. 25, FIG. 25 represents the position of each ofthe pawls 62 after each of the pawls 62 has been contacted with each ofthe drive members 88 so as to disengage each of the drive members fromthe depressions 40′. If the drive members 88 deflect each of the pawls62 an amount sufficient for each of the pawls 62 to move past each ofthe teeth 41 as the tension in the lacing system 10 rotates the spool 14in the loosening direction D2, the lacing system 10 can be configuredsuch that each of the pawls 62 are biased to move into and be engaged bythe next successive depression 40″, again inhibiting the rotation of thespool 14 in the loosening direction D2 until the pawls 62 are disengagedfrom the depressions 40″. In this manner, the spool member 14 can beincrementally loosened or released.

In some embodiments, as in the embodiment of the knob 16 illustrated inFIGS. 19-20, each drive member 88 can define a cut-out or notch 90formed in a portion of the drive member 88. However, such cut out ornotch 90 is not required and can be eliminated from some embodiments ofthe knob 16. In some embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 19-20, the endportion 88 c formed by the notch 90 can define the surface that cancontact the driven members 60 of the spool member 14 to turn the spoolmember 14. The size of the notch 90 and, hence, the position of the endportion 88 c relative to the end portion 88 b, can be configured toprovide a desired amount of freeplay of the knob 16 relative to thespool member 14.

Due to the orientation of the pawls 62 in the lacing system 10 describedabove, in some embodiments, the lacing system 10 described above can beconfigured such that the lacing system can only be tightened if thespool 14 is rotated in a first direction, and can only be loosened ifthe spool 14 is rotated in a second, opposite direction. Thus, in someembodiments, the spool member 14 can be configured to be unidirectional.Further, the orientation of the pawls 62 and the position of the drivenmember 60 can be reversed so that the tightening direction of the spool14 relative to the housing 12 can be reversed. This configuration isalso unidirectional because the lacing system can only be tightened byrotating the spool 14 in the second direction, and can only be loosenedby rotating the spool 14 in the first direction. However, in someembodiments, described in greater detail below, the lacing system can beconfigured to have a spool member 14 that is bidirectional, such thatthe lacing system can be tightened by rotating the spool in eitherdirection D1 or D2.

FIG. 26 is a top view of another embodiment of a spool member 114 thatcan be configured to be used in any of the lacing systems disclosedherein. As will be described, the spool member 114 illustrated in FIG.26 can be used as a bidirectional spool. Any suitable lacing system orany of the lacing systems disclosed herein can be configured for usewith the spool number 114 illustrated in FIG. 26. To facilitate thedescription, portions of a knob member, in particular, four drivemembers 188, are also illustrated in FIG. 26. The drive members 188 canbe configured to be the same as or similar to the drive members 88described above with respect to knob 16.

The embodiment of the spool member 114 illustrated in FIG. 26 can have atotal of four pawls 162, though in alternative embodiments more or lessmay be used. The pawls 162′ can be positioned and configured to engagedepressions formed in the housing similar to the housing 12 so as toprevent the spool member 114 from rotating in a first directionrepresented by arrow D1, in a manner that is similar to the pawls 62described above. The pawls 162 can be positioned and configured toengage with the depressions formed in the housing (not shown) so as toprevent the spool member 114 from rotating in a second directionrepresented by arrow D2, also in a manner that is similar to the pawls62 described above. As will be described below in greater detail, with abidirectional spool member 114, lace can be gathered by the empty spool114 by rotating the spool 114 in either direction D1 or D2.

Therefore, in this configuration, to rotate the spool member 114 in thefirst direction D1, each of the two pawls 162′ can be deflected anddisengaged by the knob's drive members 188′ (in particular, the secondend portion 188 b′ of drive members 188′) from the respectivedepressions that the pawls 162′ are engaged with (depressions notillustrated). The spool member 114 can be configured such that, as thepawls 162′ are deflected by the knob's drive members 188′ (i.e., byturning the knob and, hence, the knob's drive members 188′ in a firstdirection D1), the knob's drive members 188 (in particular, the firstend portion 188 a of drive members 188) can contact the driven members160 formed on the spool member 114 so as to cause the spool member 114to rotate in the first direction D1. In this manner, the spool member114 can be incrementally rotated in the first direction D1, i.e., thespool member 114 can be rotated in the first direction D1 until each ofthe two pawls 162′ is engaged by the next successive depressions (notillustrated). In some embodiments, each of the two pawls 162 can beconfigured so as to generally not impede the rotation of the spoolmember 114 in the first direction D1, such as by bending and displacingaway from the depressions. However, as will be described, each of thetwo pawls 162 can be configured to generally prevent or impede therotation of the spool member 114 in a second direction D2.

Similarly, in this configuration, to rotate the spool member 114 in thesecond direction D2, each of the two pawls 162 can be deflected anddisengaged by the knob's drive members 188 (in particular, the secondend portion 188 b of the drive members 188) from the respectivedepressions (not shown) that the pawls 162 are engaged with. The spoolmember 114 can be configured such that, as the pawls 162 are deflectedby the knob's drive members 188 (i.e., by turning the knob and, hence,the knob's drive members 188, in a second direction D2), the knob'sdrive members 188′ can contact the driven members 160′ formed on thespool member 114 so as to cause the spool member 114 to rotate in thesecond direction D2. In this manner, the spool member 114 can beincrementally rotated in the second direction D2, i.e., the spool member114 can be rotated in the second direction D2 until each of the twopawls 162 is engaged by the next successive depressions (notillustrated). In some embodiments, each of the two pawls 162′ can beconfigured so as to generally not impede the rotation of the spoolmember 114 in the second direction D2.

FIG. 27 is a side view of another embodiment of a reel based lacingsystem 210. FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment ofa housing 212, the spool member 214, and spring member 216 of the lacingsystem 210 shown in FIG. 27. FIG. 29 is a section view of the embodimentof the lacing system shown in FIG. 27, taken through line 29-29 FIG. 27.Any of the components of the lacing system 210 can be the same orsimilar to any of the components of any of the other lacing systemsdescribed herein, or can have any of the features or distinctionsdescribed below. Additionally, any of the lacing systems describedherein can be configured to have any of the components or features ofthe lacing system 210 described below.

In particular, with reference to FIGS. 28-29, the housing 212 of thelacing system 210 can be can figured to define an opening or channel 218configured to receive the spring member 216. As will be described, thelace system 210 can be configured so that the spring member 216substantially prevents the spool member 214 from rotating in a seconddirection (represented by arrow D2) when no lace has yet been gatheredby the spool member 214. This can be useful for unidirectional spools orlace systems to prevent a user from winding lace on the spool in thewrong direction (i.e., the direction that cannot counteract the forceexerted on the spool by the tension from a tightened lacing system).

As illustrated in FIG. 29, the spring member 216 can be assembled withthe spool member 214 and the housing 212 so that a first portion 216 aof the spring member 216 can be received within the channel 218 that canbe formed in the housing 212 and so that a second portion 216 b of thespring member 216 can be received within the lace gathering channel 220formed in the spool member 214. As with the other lace systems describedherein, the channel 220 can be configured to define an approximatelysemicircular, “C” shaped, or “U” shaped cross-section, and can be sizedand configured to gather a single or double level of lace (notillustrated) therein, or otherwise.

FIG. 29 illustrates a configuration wherein the spring member 216 hasbeen assembled with the housing 212 such that the first end portion 216a of the spring member is received within the channel 218 of the housing212 and a second portion 216 b of the spring member 216 has beenpositioned within the channel 220 formed in the spool member 214. FIG.29 illustrates the lacing system 210 before any lace has been gatheredin the channel 220 of the spool member 214. Before any lace has beengathered in the channel 220 of the spool member, the spring member 216can be biased to move towards the inner surface 220 b of the channel 220such that the second end portion 216 b of the spring member 216 isbiased to move into and engage with the channel or cutout 224 formed inthe spool member 214. In some embodiments, the cutout 224 is formed onan inner surface 220 b of the channel 220.

When the second end portion 216 b of the spring member 216 is engagedwith the cutout 224 (i.e., before any lace has been gathered in thechannel 220 formed in the spool 214), the lacing system 210 can beconfigured such that the second end portion 216 b of the spring member216 engages with the cutout 224 so as to substantially prevent the spoolmember 214 from rotating in the second direction D2, while notsubstantially preventing or impeding the spool member 214 from rotatingin the first direction D1. In particular, the second portion 216 b ofthe spring member 216 can be configured to slide relative to the cutout224 when the spool 214 is rotated in the first direction D1. Similarly,the second portion 216 b of the spring member 216 can be configured toengage with teeth, tabs, protrusions, holes, or other features formed inthe cutout 224 to prevent the spool 214 from rotating in the seconddirection D2 before any lace has been gathered in the channel 220 of thespool 214.

However, in some embodiments, the lacing system 210 can be configuredsuch that, when lace is gathered in the channel 220 of the spool 214 bywinding the spool 214 in the first direction D1, the lace (notillustrated) can gather against the inner surface 220 b of the channel220, causing the spring member 216 to deflect so that the second portion216 b of the spring member 216 is not able to engage with the cutout 224formed in the spool 214. In this arrangement, with the second portion216 b of the spring member 216 deflected away from the cutout 224, inthe user can then rotate the spool 214 in the second direction D2without obstruction from the spring member 216 until all of the lace hasbeen unwound from the spool member 214, at which time the bias of thesecond portion 216 b of the spring member 216 can cause the secondportion 216 b of the spring member 216 to engage with the cutout 224. Insome embodiments, the spring member 216 can be biased against adifferent portion of the spool, for example the bottom surface 220 a tosubstantially prevent accidental winding in the reverse direction. Insome embodiments, the fixed and moveable ends of the spring member 216are reversed. As such, the spring member 216 could be fixed to the spool214 and selectively engageable with a portion of the housing 212.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view the embodiment of the guide member 22illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 31 is an enlarged perspective view of aportion of the guide member 22 illustrated in FIG. 1. The guide member22 can have a mounting flange 240 that can be configured to permit theguide member 22 to be attached to the sport shoe illustrated in FIG. 2.The mounting flange 240 can be configured in accordance with the desiredmounting method or mounting fasteners, the contour shape of the sportshoe or other object to which it is to be fastened, the performancecharacteristics of the lacing system, or other factors. For example, insome embodiments, the mounting flange 240 can be curved to facilitateattaching the guide member 22 to a curved surface of the sport shoe orother objects to which the guide member 22 can be mounted. Additionally,as mentioned, the mounting flange 240 can be sized and configured toaccommodate stitching, rivets, or any other suitable or desiredfasteners or fastening method to fasten the guide member 22 to thedesired object.

In some embodiments, the guide member 22 or any other guide membersdescribed herein can be configured so as to be mountable to the sportshoe or other object without the existence or use of the flange 240. Forexample, in some embodiments (not shown), when the guide member 22 doesnot have a flange 240, screws or other fasteners can be used to mountthe guide member 22 to the sport shoe or other desired object bythreading into a bottom surface of the guide member 22.

Additionally, with reference to FIGS. 30-31, a channel 242 can be formedin the guide member 22 to receive lace that has been inserted into thechannel 242. As is illustrated, the channel 242 can have anapproximately semicircular, “C” shaped, or “U” shaped cross-section, orany other suitable cross-section. To facilitate the tightening of lacein the lacing system, a guide member 22 or guide members 22, if morethan one, can be configured so that lace easily slides along the channel242 formed in each of the guide members 22 as the lace is beingtightened. As illustrated in FIGS. 30-31, the guide member 22 can havean upper flange 246 to prevent the lace (not illustrated) from becominginadvertently disengaged with the channel 242. Additionally, as mostclearly illustrated in FIG. 31, the guide member 22 can define one ormore guides 248 also configured to retain the lace (not illustrated)within the channel 242.

In some embodiments, the guide member 22 can be configured such that thedistance between the upper surface 248 a of the guide 248 and the lowersurface 246 a of the upper flange 246 (this distance being representedby Dg in FIG. 31) is generally less than the thickness or diameterdefined by the lace (not shown) received by the channel 242. In thisconfiguration, the lace (not illustrated) could be inserted into thechannel 242 by forcing or squeezing the lace through the space betweenthe guide 248 and the upper flange 246 so that lace is biased to remainpositioned within at least a portion of the channel 242 during operationof the lacing system. The lace can be removed in a similar fashion.

Additionally, in this configuration, as the guides 248 can bias the laceto remain positioned within at least a portion of the channel 242, aloop of lace can be formed to facilitate a user's loosening of the lace20. For example, with reference to FIG. 32, which is a perspective viewof the embodiment of the lacing system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, showingthe lace 20 in a loosened state, because the guides 248 can retain thelace 20 within that portion of the channel 242, as the lace 20 isloosened from the spool (not shown), the lace 20 can form a loop 20 cwhich the user can grasp to facilitate further loosening of the lacingsystem 10. Additionally, the guide 22 can be configured such that a usercan grasp the portion of the lace 20 that spans over the shoe or otherobject (i.e., the portion of the lace 20 that has not yet passed throughthe guide 22) and withdraw the lace 20 from the guide 22 by pulling thelace 20 laterally through the opening formed between the upper surface248 a of the guide 248 and the lower surface 246 a of the upper flange246 (this distance being represented by Dg in FIG. 31).

In some configurations, the guide member 22 can be configured to definea cutout or other features to assist the user in grasping the lace withhis or her fingers. One example of a cutout to assist the user ingrasping the lace is illustrated in FIG. 33, which is a perspective viewof another embodiment of a lacing system 10′ that can be similar to thelacing system 10 illustrated in FIG. 32, except having a modified guidemember 22′. With reference to FIG. 33 the modified guide member 22′ canhave a cutout 250 formed in the upper flange 246′ so that the user canmore easily grasp the looped portion of the lace 20 c from the channel242 formed in the guide member 22′.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lacing system10″, having multiple guide members 22. As illustrated in FIG. 34, thelace 20 can be routed through at least three separate guide members 22.In some embodiments, a first end 20 a of the lace can be fixed to thehousing 12, while the second end 20 b of the lace 20 can be fixed to thespool (not shown) so that the second end 20 b of the lace 20 can bewound up by the spool. In some embodiments, a second end 20 b of thelace can be fixed to the housing 12, while the first end 20 a of thelace 20 can be fixed to the spool (not shown) so that the first end 20 aof the lace 20 can be wound up by the spool. Any number or configurationof guide members 22 can be used depending on the desired application ofand configuration of the lacing system.

In some embodiments, the lacing system can be configured to permit theuser to quickly and easily increase or reduce the tension of the lacingsystem by, for example, temporarily attaching and removing a portion ofa guide member through which the lace of the lacing system is routed. Anexample of one such configuration is described below with reference toFIGS. 35-36. FIG. 35 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guidemember assembly 300. FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the partiallyexploded assembly comprising the embodiment of the guide member assembly300 shown in FIG. 35. With reference to FIGS. 35-36, the embodiment ofthe guide member 300 illustrated therein can comprise a base member 302and a tab member 304. In some embodiments, the base member 302 can havea mounting flange 306, an upper flange 308, and a channel 310.

In some embodiments, the mounting flange 306 can be configured to permitthe base member 302 to be attached to the sport shoe. The mountingflange 306 can be configured in accordance with the desired mountingmethod or mounting fasteners, the contour shape of the sport shoe orother object to which it is to be fastened, the performancecharacteristics of the lacing system, or other factors. For example, insome embodiments, the mounting flange 308 can be curved to facilitateattaching the base member 302 to a curved surface of the sport shoe orother object to which the base member 302 can be mounted. The mountingflange 308 can be sized and configured to accommodate stitching, rivets,or any other suitable or desired fasteners or fastening method to fastenthe base member 302 to the desired object.

In some embodiments, the base member 302 can be configured so as to bemountable to the sport shoe or other object without the existence or useof the flange 306. For example, in some embodiments (not shown), whenthe base member 302 does not have a flange 306, screws or otherfasteners can be used to mount the base member 302 to the sport shoe orother desired object by threading into a bottom surface of the basemember 302.

In some embodiments, the upper flange 308 and the channel 310 can beconfigured to receive and removably secure the coupling portion 320 ofthe tab member 304. The coupling portion 320 can be configured to definean outer surface that is similar to and complements the inner surface ofthe channel 310. Additionally, the upper flange 308, the channel 310,and/or the coupling portion 320 can be configured such that tab member304 resists or is biased against separation from the base member 302once tab member 304 is coupled with a base member 302 as illustrated inFIG. 35. For example, in some embodiments, the coupling portion 320 candefine a first point 320 a and a second point 320 b separated by adistance that is narrower than the widest width of the channel 310 sothat the first and second points 320 a, 320 b of the coupling portion320 must be deflected outwardly in order to be engaged with the channel310. After the tab member 304 has been coupled with the base member 302such that the coupling portion 320 is positioned adjacent to the channel310, the first and second points 320 a, 320 b can thus inhibit theinadvertent removal or decoupling of the tab member 304 from the basemember 302. Additionally, as the laces 20 are put in tension bytightening the lacing system, the laces 20 can also exert a force on thetab member 304 to prevent a tab member 304 from becoming decoupled fromthe base member 302.

With continued reference to FIGS. 35-36, in some embodiments, the tabmember 304 can define a gripping portion 322 that can be over-moldedonto, adhered to, or otherwise affixed to or supported by the couplingportion 320. The gripping portion 322 can be formed from a pliablerubber or webbing, a loop of cable, or any other suitable material. Thegripping portion 322 can have features that assist the user inmaintaining a grip on the gripping portion 322 such as, but not limitedto, dimples, protrusions, channels, depressions such as the depression324 illustrated in FIG. 36, or any other suitable features to enhancethe gripability of the gripping portion 322. Additionally, the tabmember 302 can define a channel 326 configured to receive lace 20. Thechannel 326 can be configured such that lace 20 can easily slide throughthe channel 326 during tightening and loosening of the lacing system.

In some embodiments, a lacing system can include a rotation limiter thatcan restrict the amount that the spool can be rotated with respect thehousing. In some embodiments, the rotation limiter can restrict rotationof the spool in both a clockwise direction and a counter-clockwisedirection. In some embodiments, the rotation limiter can allow for apredetermined amount of spool rotation between the furthest clockwiseposition and the furthest counter-clockwise position. For example, ifthe spool begins at the position where the rotation limiter preventsfurther rotation in the clockwise direction, the spool can then berotated in the counter-clockwise direction by approximately four, orsix, or some other predetermined number of revolutions with respect tothe housing before the rotation limiter “locks” the spool againstfurther rotation in the counter-clockwise direction. Thus, the rotationlimiter can restrict the spool to a predetermined rotation range.

With reference now to FIGS. 37-43, an embodiment of a lacing system 510will be described that includes a rotation limiter. In the illustratedembodiment, the rotation limiter can be a stop cord as will be describedbelow. The lacing system 510 can include a housing 512, a spool member514, a knob 516, and a fastener 518, which, in some respects, can besimilar to, or the same as, the housing 12, spool member 14, knob 16,and fastener 18 described above, or any other housing, spool member,knob, or fastener described herein. Also, many features described inconnection with the lacing system 510 can be incorporated into otherembodiments disclosed herein. FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view ofthe housing 512 and spool member 514 of another embodiment of a lacingsystem 510. For simplicity, the knob 516, fastener 518, and lace 520 arenot shown in FIG. 37. FIG. 38 is a section view of the embodiment of thelacing system 510 in a close to fully wound configuration. FIG. 39 is asection view of the embodiment of the lacing system 510 of FIG. 38 takenthrough the line 39-39. FIG. 40 is a section view of the embodiment ofthe lacing system 510 of FIG. 38 taken through the line 40-40. FIG. 41is a section view of the embodiment of the lacing system 510 in a closeto fully unwound configuration. FIG. 42 is a section view of theembodiment of the lacing system 510 of FIG. 41 taken along the line42-42. FIG. 43 is a section view of the embodiment of the lacing system510 of FIG. 41 taken along the line 43-43.

The housing 512 can include a mounting flange 530 which can beconfigured to allow the housing 512 to be attached to a shoe or otherobject using stitching, rivets, screws, or other suitable fasteners. Insome embodiments, the mounting flange 530 can be omitted, and thehousing can be secured to the shoe or other object, for example, byscrews threaded into the housing 512. The housing 512 can include adepression 28, and a shaft 534 that projects from the depression 28. Thedepression 528 and the shaft 534 can be configured to support the spoolmember 514 in a manner similar to that discussed above with regard tothe housing 12 and spool member 14. The shaft 534 can include an opening536 which can be configured to receive the fastener 518 to secure theknob 516 to the housing 512, in a manner similar to that describedabove. In some embodiments, a substantially annular raised ridge 535 canbe formed in the periphery of the base of the depression 528 which cancontact the bottom peripheral surface of the spool member 514 when thespool member 514 is positioned in the depression 528, therebymaintaining the spool member 514 a distance above the base of thedepression 528 and forming a stop cord channel 529 between the bottomsurface of the spool member 514 and the base of the depression 528. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the stop cord 531 can be wound around theshaft 534 as the spool 514 rotates relative to the housing 512. Althoughnot specifically shown in the illustrated embodiment, the stop cordchannel 529 can be formed as part of the spool 514. For example, araised flange can be added to the bottom surface of the spool 514 toform a channel to receive the stop cord. Thus, in some embodiments, thespool 514 can include a lace channel for receiving the lace 520 and aseparate stop cord channel for receiving the stop cord 531.

The housing can include one or more lace inlets 532 that can beconfigured to permit the lace 520 to be threaded into the housing 512.When the lacing system 510 is tightened, the lace 520 can enter thehousing 512 through the inlet 532 and coil around the shaft 534 in achannel 578 formed in the spool member 514 in a manner similar to thatdiscussed above in connection with the lacing system 10. When the laceis loosened, the lace 520 can uncoil and exit the housing through thelace inlet 532. In some embodiments, the lacing system 510 can include asecond inlet configured to receive a stationary end of the lace 520which can be secured to the housing such that it does not move in or outof the housing as the lace 520 is tightened or loosened.

The housing 512 can have a generally cylindrical shaped wall 538projecting generally coaxially with the shaft 538 and substantiallysurrounding the depression 528. A plurality of radially positionednotches or depressions 40 can be formed on the inside surface of thewall 538 so as to form a series of radially positioned ratchet teeth 541which can be configured to engage the pawls 562 of the spool member 514to control the incremental rotation of the spool 514 in a mannersimilar, for example, to that described above in connection with thelacing system 10.

The lacing system 510 can include a stop cord 531, which can operate toprevent the knob 516 from being over-rotated in the either thetightening direction or in the loosening direction, as will be describedin greater detail below. The stop cord 531 can have a first end 531 asecured to the housing 512 and a second end 531 b secured to the spoolmember 514, such that the stop cord 531 can coil around the shaft 536 asthe spool member 514 rotates relative to the housing 512. In someembodiments, the first end 531 a of the stop cord 531 can extend fromthe channel 529 formed in the depression 528 through a hole 533 formedradially in the wall 538, and a knot can be formed on the outside of thewall 538 thereby preventing the first end 531 a of the stop cord 531from being pulled through the hole 533 and into the depression 528. Thefirst end 531 a of the stop cord 531 can be secured to the housing invarious other manners, such as, for example, using an adhesive, a clamp,or a friction fitting (e.g., created by passing the stop cord 531through a plurality of channels in a manner similar to that describedabove in connection with FIG. 16).

The second end 531 b of the stop cord 531 can extend from the channel529 through a hole 535 formed axially in the spool member 514, and aknot can be formed on the top of the spool member 514 thereby preventingthe second end 531 b of the stop cord 531 from being pulled through thehole 535 and into the channel 529. The second end 531 b of the stop cord531 can be secured to the spool member 514 in various other manners,such as, for example, using an adhesive, a clamp, or a friction fitting(e.g., created by passing the stop cord 531 through a plurality ofchannels in a manner similar to that described above in connection withFIG. 16).

The stop cord 531 can be made of any of a variety of materials includingsteel, monofilament, nylon, Kevlar, or any other suitable material. Oneexample of a suitable stop cord material is sold under the trade nameSPECTRA™, manufactured by Honeywell of Morris Township, N.J. In someembodiments, the stop cord 531 can be similar to, or the same as, thelace 520 in construction or size or other regards.

With reference now to FIGS. 38-43, the operation of the stop cord 531will now be described. As can best be seen in FIG. 39, when the knob 516is rotated in the tightening direction, the lace 520 is drawn into thechannel 78 via the lace inlet 532 and the lace 520 coils around theshaft 534. As additional lace 520 is drawn into the channel 578 thechannel 578 becomes full. If the user continues to rotate the knob 516once the channel 578 is full, the lace 520 can become jammed or thelacing system 510 may be damaged. To prevent over-insertion of the lace520, the stop cord 531 can be configured to limit the amount of lacewhich can be drawn into the channel 578 by limiting the amount that theknob 516 can be rotated. As can best be seen in FIG. 40, as the knob 516is rotated, the stop cord 531 is coiled around the shaft 534 within thechannel 529. By selecting an appropriate length for the stop cord 531,the stop cord 531 can become tightly wound around the shaft 534 after apredetermined number of turns of the knob 516. Once the stop cord 531has become tightly wound it prevents the knob from being tightenedfurther. By selecting a length for the stop cord 531 that corresponds tothe size of the channel 578 and the size of the lace 520, the stop cord531 can “lock” the knob once the channel has become substantiallyfilled. In some embodiments, the stop cord 531 can be configured to“lock” the knob 516 against further tightening when the channel 578still contains space for additional lace, depending on the particularapplication of the lacing system 510.

As can best be seen in FIG. 42, when the knob 516 is rotated in theloosening direction, the lace 520 is drawn out of the channel 578 viathe lace inlet 532 until the lace 520 is fully uncoiled from around theshaft 534. If the user continues to rotate the knob 516 in the looseningdirection once the lace 520 is fully uncoiled, the lace 520 will beginto coil around the shaft in the opposite direction and begin to tighten.In unidirectional spool configurations, the lace tightening system isdesigned to tighten in a single direction. Thus, the stop cord 531 canbe used to prevent the user from turning the knob 516 in the looseningdirection after the lace 520 has become fully loosened. As can best beseen in FIG. 43, as the knob 516 is rotated in the loosening direction,the stop cord 531 is coiled around the shaft 534 in the oppositedirection from that shown in FIG. 40. By selecting an appropriate lengthfor the stop cord 531, the stop cord 531 can become tightly wound aroundthe shaft 534 when the lace 520 becomes substantially fully loosened,thereby “locking” the knob 516 against further rotation in the looseningdirection. It will be understood that the stop cord can be used to“lock” the knob 516 against additional loosening before the lace 520 hasbecome fully loosened, depending on the particular application of thelacing system 510.

In the embodiment of the lacing system 510 shown in FIGS. 37-43, thespool member 514 is a unidirectional spool member. Accordingly, the stopcord 531 can be fully coiled in a first direction when the lace 520 issubstantially fully loosened, thereby preventing the knob 516 from beingloosened further, and fully coiled in a second, opposite direction whenthe channel 578 is substantially filled, thereby preventing the knob 516from being tightened further. Consequently, the stop cord 531 can besubstantially uncoiled when the knob 516 is approximately midway betweenits fully loosened and fully tightened rotational positions. The numberof knob revolution between the fully tightened and fully loosenedpositions can be approximately double the number of times the stop cord531 can be wrapped around the shaft 534. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 40 and 43, the stop cord 531 can have a length that allows thestop cord 531 to be wrapped approximately twice around the shaft 534,which translates into approximately four revolutions of the knob 516 andspool member 514 between the fully loosened and fully tightenedpositions. Many variations are possible following this sameapproximately 2:1 ratio. For example, to provide for approximately sixrevolutions between the fully loosened and fully tightened positions, alonger stop cord 531 can be used that can be wrapped around the shaft534 approximately three times.

In some embodiments, the spool member can be a bidirectional spoolmember (e.g., the spool member 114 of FIG. 26) such that the lacingsystem can be tightened by turning the knob in either direction. In somebidirectional embodiments, the stop cord can be fully coiled in a firstdirection when the knob has been fully tightened in a first direction,and the stop cord can be fully coiled in a second, opposite directionwhen the knob has been fully tightened in the second direction. Thus, insome bidirectional embodiments, the stop cord can be fully uncoiled atsubstantially the same position where the lace is fully loosened. Insome bidirectional embodiments, the number of knob revolutions betweenthe fully loosened and fully tightened positions can approximately equalthe number of time that the stop cord can be wound around the shaft 534.

FIGS. 44-50 illustrate an embodiment of a lace winder 600, which can beused in connection with a lacing system, such the lacing system 10described above. As will be described in greater detail below, the lacewinder 600 can include a spring configured to automatically eliminateloose slack in the lace by maintaining the lace under tension. The lacewinder 600 can also include a knob 622 configured to tighten the lacewhen rotated in a tightening direction and to loosen the lace whenrotated in a loosening direction. In some embodiments, the knob 622 canbe incrementally rotatable in the loosening direction, allowing forincremental release of the lace from the lace winder 600.

In the illustrated embodiments, the lace winder 600 generally comprisesa spool 610 rotatably positioned within a housing member 640 androtationally biased in a winding direction. The spool 610 is alsogenerally coupled to a knob 622 for manually tightening the lace. Somefeatures of the lace winder 400 can be the same as, or similar to,features of the lacing system 10 discussed above. However, inalternative embodiments, features of the lace winder 600 can be appliedto many other tightening mechanisms as desired.

FIG. 44 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the lace winder 600.The embodiment of FIG. 44 illustrates a spring assembly 630, a spoolassembly 632 and a knob assembly 634. The spool assembly 632 and thespring assembly 630 are generally configured to be assembled to oneanother and placed within a housing 640. The knob assembly 634 can thenbe assembled with the housing 640 to provide a self-winding lacingdevice 600. The knob assembly 634 generally comprises a knob 622 and adrive gear 642 configured to rotationally couple the knob 622 to a driveshaft 644 which extends through substantially the entire winder 600.

FIG. 45 shows a top view of the lace winder 600 of FIG. 44. FIG. 46 is asection view of the lace winder 600 of FIG. 45 taken along line 46-46.FIG. 49 is a top view of the housing 640 shown in FIG. 44. FIG. 48 is asection view of the housing 640 of FIG. 47 taken along the line 48-48.FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the housing 640 of FIG. 47. Withreference to FIG. 45-49, in some embodiments, the housing 640 generallycomprises an upper section with a plurality of ratchet teeth 646configured to engage pawls 648 of the knob 622 (e.g., as shown in FIG.45). The housing 640 also includes a spool cavity 650 sized andconfigured to receive the spool assembly 632 and spring assembly 630therein. A lower portion of the spool cavity 650 generally comprises aplurality of teeth forming a ring gear 652 configured to engageplanetary gears 654 of the spool assembly 632.

A transverse surface 656 generally separates the upper portion of thehousing 640 from the spool cavity 650. A central aperture 658 in thetransverse surface allows the drive shaft 644 to extend from the knob622, through the housing 640 and through the spool assembly 632. In someembodiments, set-screw apertures 660 and/or a winding pin aperture 662can also extend through the housing 640 as will be further describedbelow. The housing 640 also typically includes a pair of lace entryholes 664 through which laces can extend.

In some embodiments, a gear train can be provided between the knob 622and the spool 610 in order to allow a user to apply an torsional forceto a spool 610 that is greater than the force applied to the knob. Inthe embodiment of FIGS. 44-48, such a gear train is provided in the formof an epicyclic gear set including a sun gear 670 and a plurality ofplanetary gears 654 attached to the spool 610, and a ring gear 650 on aninternal surface of the housing 640. The illustrated epicyclic geartrain will cause a clockwise rotation of the drive shaft 644 relative tothe housing 640 to result in a clockwise rotation of the spool 610relative to the housing 640, but at a much slower rate, and with a muchincreased torque. This provides a user with a substantial mechanicaladvantage in tightening footwear laces using the illustrated device. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the epicyclic gear train provides a gearratio of 1:4. In alternative embodiments, other ratios can also be usedas desired. For example, gear ratios of anywhere from 1:1 to 1:5 or morecould be used in connection with a footwear lace tightening mechanism.In some embodiments, the gear train can be omitted from the lace winder600.

With reference to FIGS. 44, 46, and 48, embodiments of a spool assembly632 will now be described. The spool assembly 632 generally comprises aspool body 610, a drive shaft 644, a sun gear 670, a plurality ofplanetary gears 654, a pair of set screws 672 and a bushing 674. Thespool body 610 generally comprises a central aperture 676, a pair of setscrew holes 678, a winding section 680 and a transmission section 682.The winding section 680 comprises a pair of lace receiving holes 684 forreceiving lace ends which can be secured to the spool using set screws672 or other means as described in previous embodiments. The lacereceiving holes 684 are generally configured to be alignable with thelace entry holes 664 of the housing 640. In some embodiments, the spoolbody 610 also comprises a winding pin hole 690 configured to receive awinding pin for use in assembling the winder 600 as will be furtherdescribed below. In some embodiments, the spool 610 can also includesight holes 692 to allow a user to visually verify that a lace 23 hasbeen inserted a sufficient distance into the spool 610 without the needfor markings on the lace 23.

The bushing 674 comprises an outer diameter that is slightly smallerthan the inner diameter of the spool central aperture 676. The bushing674 also comprises an inner aperture 694 configured to engage the driveshaft 644 such that the bushing 674 remains rotationally stationaryrelative to the drive shaft throughout operation of the device. In theillustrated embodiment, the drive shaft 644 comprises a hexagonal shape,and the bushing 674 comprises a corresponding hexagonal shape. In theillustrated embodiment, the sun gear 670 also comprises an hexagonalaperture 702 configured to rotationally couple the sun gear 670 to thedrive shaft 644. Alternatively or in addition, the sun gear 670 and/orthe bushing 674 can be secured to the drive shaft 644 by a press fit,keys, set screws, adhesives, or other suitable means. In otherembodiments, the drive shaft 644, bushing 674 and/or sun gear 670 cancomprise other cross-sectional shapes for rotationally coupling theelements.

In an assembled condition, the bushing 674 is positioned within thespool aperture 676, the drive shaft 644 extends through the centralaperture 694 of the bushing 674 and through the sun gear 670. In someembodiments, the planetary gears 654 can be secured to axles 704 rigidlymounted to the transmission section 682 of the spool 610. The planetarygears 654, when assembled on the spool 610, generally extend radiallyoutwards from the perimeter of the spool 610 such that they may engagethe ring gear 652 in the housing 640. In some embodiments, the spooltransmission section 682 comprises walls 706 with apertures located toallow the planetary gears 654 to extend therethrough. If desired, aplate 710 can be positioned between the planetary gears 654 and thespring assembly 630 in order to prevent interference between the movingparts.

The spring assembly 630 generally comprises a coil spring 712, a springboss 714, and a backing plate 716. In some embodiments, a washer/plate718 can also be provided within the spring assembly 630 between the coilspring 718 and the spring boss 714 in order to prevent the spring 712from undesirably hanging up on any protrusions of the spring boss 714.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the spring assembly630 shown in FIG. 44. With particular reference to FIG. 50, in someembodiments, the spring boss 714 is rigidly joined to the backplate 716and the torsional spring 712 is configured to engage the spring boss 714in at least one rotational direction. The coil spring 712 generallycomprises an outer end 720 located at a periphery of the spring 712, andan inner end 722 at a central portion of the spring 712. The outer end720 is generally configured to engage a portion of the spool 610. In theillustrated embodiment, the outer end 720 comprises a necked-downportion to engage an aperture in a portion of the spool 610. Inalternative embodiments, the outer end 720 of the spring 712 can besecured to the spool by welds, mechanical fasteners, adhesives or anyother desired method. The inner end 722 of the spring 712 comprises ahooked portion configured to engage the spring boss 714.

The spring boss 714 comprises a pair of posts 730 extending upwards fromthe backplate 716. The posts 730 are generally crescent shaped andconfigured to engage the hooked interior end 722 of the spring 712 inonly one rotational direction. Each post 730 comprises a curved end 736configured to receive the hooked spring end 722 as the spring rotatescounter-clockwise relative to the backplate 716. Each post 730 alsocomprises a flat end 738 configured to deflect the hooked spring end 722as the spring 712 rotates clockwise relative to the backplate 716. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the posts 714 and spring 712 are orientedsuch that a clockwise rotation of the spring 712 relative to the springboss 714 and backplate 716 will allow the spring to “skip” from one post714 to the other without resisting such rotation. On the other hand, acounter-clockwise rotation of the spring 712 will cause the hooked end722 to engage one of the posts 714, thereby holding the interior end 722of the spring stationary relative to the outer portions of the spring712. Continued rotation of the outer portions of the spring will deflectthe spring, thereby biasing it in the clockwise winding direction.

The space 732 between the posts 730 of the spring boss 714 is generallysized and configured to receive the distal end of the drive shaft, whichin some embodiments as shown in FIG. 44, can comprises a circular end734 configured to freely rotate in the spring boss space 732. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 44, the spring boss 714 and the backplate716 are shown as separately manufactured elements which are laterassembled. In alternative embodiments, the backplate 716 and spring boss714 can be integrally formed as a unitary structure and/or as portionsof another structure.

Embodiments of methods for assembling a self-coiling lace winder 600will now be described with reference to FIGS. 44-49. In one embodiment,the sun and planetary gears 670, 654 are assembled onto the transmissionportion 682 of the spool 610, and the bushing 674 and drive shaft 644are inserted through the aperture 676 in the spool. The spring assembly630 is assembled by attaching the spring boss 714 to the back plate 716by any suitable method and placing the spring 712 on the spring boss714. The spool assembly 632 can then be joined to the spring assembly630 by attaching the outer end 720 of the spring 712 to the spool 610.In some embodiments, the spring 712 may need to be pre-wound tightly inorder to fit within the spool walls 706. The spool assembly 632 and thespring assembly 630 can then be placed within the housing member 640. Insome embodiments, the backplate 716 is secured to the housing member 640by screws 740 or other suitable fasteners such as rivets, welds,adhesives, etc. In some embodiments, the backplate 716 can includenotches 742 configured to cooperate with extensions or recesses in thehousing member 640 in order to prevent the entirety of the torsionalspring load from bearing against the screws 740.

In some embodiments, once the spool assembly 632 and the spring assembly630 are assembled and placed in the housing 640, the spring 712 can betensioned prior to attaching the laces. In one embodiment, withreference to FIG. 26, the spring 712 is tensioned by holding the housing640 stationary and rotating the drive shaft 644 in an unwindingdirection 740, thereby increasing the deflection in the spring 712 andcorrespondingly increasing a biasing force of the spring. Once a desireddegree of deflection/spring bias is reached, a winding pin 742 can beinserted through the winding pin aperture 662 in the housing 640 and thewinding pin hole 690 in the spool 610.

In one embodiment, the winding pin hole 690 in the spool is alignedrelative to the winding pin aperture 662 in the housing such that theset screw holes 678 and the lacing sight holes 692 in the spool 610 willbe aligned with corresponding apertures 660 in the housing 640 when thewinding pin 742 is inserted (see FIG. 50). The spool 610 and housing 640are also preferably configured such that the lace receiving holes 684 ofthe spool 610 are aligned with the lace entry holes 664 of the housing640 when the winding pin hole 690 and aperture 662 are aligned. Inalternative embodiments, the winding pin hole 690 and aperture 662 canbe omitted, and the spool can be held in place relative to the housingby some other means, such as by placing a winding pin 742 can beinserted through a set screw hole and aperture or a sight hole/aperture.

Once the spring 712 has been tensioned and a winding pin 742 has beeninserted, the lace can be installed in the spool using any suitablemeans provided. In the embodiment illustrated in the embodiments ofFIGS. 44-49, the spool 610 is configured to secure the lace therein withset screws 672. The lace can be inserted through the lace entry holes664 in the housing 640 and through the lace receiving holes 684 in thespool 610 until a user sees the end of the lace in the appropriate sighthole 692. Once the user visually verifies that the lace is inserted asufficient distance, the set screws 672 can be tightened, therebysecuring the laces in the spool.

Once the laces are secured, the winding pin 742 can be removed, therebyallowing the spring to wind up any slack in the lace. The knob 622 canthen be attached to the housing 640, such as by securing a screw 750 tothe drive shaft 644. A user can then tighten the lace using the knob 622as desired.

In alternative embodiments, it may be desirable to pre-tension thespring 712 after installing the lace in the spool 610. For example, ifan end user desires to change the lace in his/her footwear, the old lacecan be removed by removing the knob 622, loosening the set screws 672and pulling out the lace. New lace can then be inserted through the laceentry holes 684 and secured to the spool with the set screws 672, andre-install the knob 622 as described above. In order to tension thespring 712, a user can then simply wind the lace by rotating the knob622 in the winding direction until the laces are fully tightened(typically without a foot in the footwear). The spring will not resistsuch forward winding, since the spring boss 714 will allow the spring712 to freely rotate in the forward direction as described above. In onepreferred embodiment, the user tightens the lace as much as possiblewithout a foot in the footwear. Once the laces are fully tightened, theknob can be released, such as by pulling outwards on the knob asdescribed elsewhere herein, and the lace can be pulled out. As the spoolrotates in an unwinding direction, the hooked inner end 722 of thespring 712 engages the spring boss 714, and the spring deflects, therebyagain biasing the spool 610 in a winding direction.

With reference now to FIGS. 51-53, an additional embodiment of a knobassembly 850 will be described. Some embodiments of the knob assembly850 can be used, for example, with the lace winder 600 described above.In some embodiments, the knob assembly 850 can be used with a lacewinder that can be a modified version of the lace winder 600 having lessthan all the features or parts of the described embodiment of the lacewinder 600 (e.g., no self winding feature) or having additional featuresother than those described. In some embodiments, features of the knobassembly 850 can also be applied other embodiments disclosed herein. Forexample, the housing 12 and knob 16 can be modified to operate in afashion similar to the knob assembly 850.

FIG. 51 is a perspective, section view of a partially explodedembodiment of a knob assembly 850. The embodiment of the knob assembly850 illustrated in FIG. 51 can comprise a base member 852, a covermember 854, and an overmold or overlay member 856. In some embodiments,the base member 852 can be formed from a rigid or a semi-rigid material,and can comprise a substantially cylindrical outer surface 858, asubstantially planar upper surface 860, a coupling portion 862protruding from the upper surface 858, a substantially planar uppersurface 860, a coupling portion 862 protruding from the upper surface860 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the uppersurface 860, and one or more engagement tabs 864. Additionally, in someembodiments, the base member 852 can comprise an opening 866therethrough that is approximately coaxial with the centerline of thebase member 858, and a plurality of channels or depressions 868 formedin the coupling portion 362.

In some embodiments, the cover member 854 can have an approximatelyplanar upper surface 870, an approximately cylindrical outer wall 872projecting substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 870, aplurality of tabs 874 protruding substantially perpendicular to theupper surface 870, and a plurality of protrusions projectingsubstantially radially inward from the inside surface 872 a of the outerwall 872. Additionally, an opening 878 can be formed through the upperwall 870 at the approximate center of the cover member 854.

The overlay member 856 can be configured to be supported by the covermember 854 such that the inner surface 882 of the overlay member 856 ispositioned adjacent to the outer surface of the outer wall 872. In someembodiments, the overlay member 856 can be formed from a pliablematerial such as rubber or any other suitable material, and can havedepressions 884 or any other features such as, but not limited to,channels, protrusions, dimples, tabs, or other features configured toincrease the user's grip on the knob assembly 850.

FIG. 52 is a section view of the embodiment of the knob assembly 850illustrated in FIG. 51, taken through the plan that is perpendicular tothe centerline of the assembly (represented by line CL in FIG. 51) andthat intersects each of the tabs 874 formed on the upper surface 879 ofthe cover member 854. FIG. 52 illustrates the knob assembly 850 in atightening mode. FIG. 53 is a section view of the embodiment of the knobassembly 850 illustrated in FIG. 51, taken through a plane that isperpendicular the other centerline of the assembly (represented by lineCL in FIG. 51) and that intersects each of the tabs 874 formed on theupper surface 870 of the cover member 854. FIG. 53 illustrates the knobassembly 850 in a loosening mode.

With reference to FIGS. 52-53, the base member 852 and the cover member854 can be coupled so that the tabs 874 formed on the cover member 854are positioned adjacent to the engagement tabs 864 supported by the basemember 852. When the knob assembly 850 is in tightening mode asillustrated in FIG. 52 (i.e., when the knob assembly 850 is rotated inthe first represented by arrow D1 and FIG. 52), the tabs 874 formed onthe cover member 854 can be positioned relative to the engagement tabs864 supported by the base member 852 so that the engagement tabs 864 arenot bent or deflected by the contact with the tabs 874 of the covermember 854. Additionally, in the tightening mode as illustrated in FIG.52, each of the tabs or protrusions 876 formed on the cover member 854can engage each of the cutouts 890 formed in the base member 852 suchthat, turning the cover member 854 in a first or tightening direction(represented by arrow D1 in FIG. 52) can cause the tabs 876 to contacton of the walls formed by the cutouts 890 and, accordingly, cause thebase member 852 to turn in the first direction D1.

With reference to FIG. 53, the tabs 874 formed on the cover member 854can be forced against the engagement tabs 864 supported by the basemember 852 so that the engagement tabs 864 are deflected outward by thecontact with the tabs 874 of the cover member 854. As will be describedin greater detail below, when the engagement tabs 864 are deflectedoutward to a sufficient amount by the contact with the tabs 874, theknob assembly 850 can rotate freely in the second or loosening direction(represented by arrow D2 in FIG. 53), causing the spool member coupledwith the knob assembly 850 to also rotate in a second direction D2,loosening the lace in the lacing system. Additionally, in the looseningmode as illustrated in FIG. 53 (i.e., when the knob assembly is rotatedin the second direction D2), each of the tabs or protrusions 876 formedon the cover member 854 can engage each of the cutouts 890 formed on thebase member 852 such that, turning the cover member 854 in a second orloosening direction D2 can cause the tabs 876 to contact the wallforming cutouts 890 and, accordingly, cause the base member 852 to turnin the second direction D2.

As mentioned above, some embodiments of the knob assembly 850 can beconfigured to be interchangeable with the knob 622 of the lace winder600 described above (and further described in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2006-0156517 (hereinafter, the '517 Publication)), toenable the lace winder 600 to be incrementally releasable. The knobassembly 850 will be further discussed below with as being incorporatedinto the lace winder 600 described above. In this configuration, theknob assembly 850 can be configured such that, when the knob assembly isrotated in a first, tightening direction D1 as described above, the knobassembly 850 can rotate the spool assembly 632 of the lace winder 600 inthe first, tightening direction.

Similarly, the knob assembly 850 can be configured such that, when theknob assembly 850 is rotated in a second, loosening direction D2 asdescribed above, the engagement tabs 874 of the cover member 854 candeflect the engagement tabs 864 of the base member 852 outwardly so thatthe free ends 864 a of the engagement tabs 864 do not contact theratchet teeth 646 (see FIGS. 45, 47, and 49) of the lace winder 600 and,accordingly, the knob assembly 850 can rotate the spool assembly 632 ofthe lace winder 600 in the second, loosening direction. In this manner,the lace winder 600, or other reel or lacing system can be configured topermit incremental release of lace in the lacing system.

In this configuration, the knob assembly 850 can be subjected to arotational bias tending to cause the spool assembly 632 of the lacewinder 600 and the knob assembly 850 to rotate in the second, looseneddirection D2 by the tension from the lace on the spool assembly 632 in atightened or partially tightened lacing system exerted. To counteractthe above-mentioned bias and prevent the rotation of the spool assembly632 in the second, loosening direction, the engagements tabs 864supported by the base member 852 of the knob assembly 850 can engagewith the ratchet teeth 646 of the lace winder 600 to impede or preventthe further rotation of the spool assembly 632 of the lace winder 600 inthe second, loosening direction. Additionally, in some embodiments, theknob assembly 850 can be configured to be axially movable relative tothe spool assembly 632 of the lace winder 600 so that, when the knobassembly 850 is moved a sufficient distance away from the spool assembly632 of the lace winder 600, the engagement tabs 864 of the knob assembly850 can be moved out of contact with the ratchet teeth 646 of the lacewinder so that the knob assembly 850 and the spool assembly 632 of thelace winder 600 can be freely rotated in the second, looseningdirections.

FIGS. 54A-54H are perspective views of various articles of manufacturesuitable for use with any embodiments of the lacing systems describedherein including, but not limited to, lacing system 10, or anycombination of components of the various lacing systems describedherein. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 54A, the lacing system 10or any other lacing system disclosed herein can be configured for usewith the illustrated in FIG. 54A to at least control the tightness ofthe shoe around at least the ankle portion of a user's body. Asillustrated therein, the embodiment of the lacing system 10 can be usedin conjunction with a conventional lacing system.

As illustrated in FIG. 54B, the lacing system 10 or any other lacingsystem disclosed herein can be configured for use with a helmet such asthe helmet illustrated in FIG. 54B to at least control the tightness ofthe strap portion of the helmet.

As illustrated in FIG. 54C, the lacing system 10 or any other lacingsystem disclosed herein can be configured for use with a hat such as thehat illustrated in FIG. 54C to at least control the tightness of thestrap portion of the hat.

As illustrated in FIG. 54D, the lacing system 10 or any other lacingsystem disclosed herein can be configured for use with a glove such asthe glove illustrated in FIG. 54D to at least control the tightness ofthe glove around at least the wrist portion of a user's body.

As illustrated in FIG. 54E, the lacing system 10 or any other lacingsystem disclosed herein can be configured for use with a backpack or afluid hydration carrier such as the backpack or fluid hydration carrierillustrated in FIG. 54E to at least control the tightness of thebackpack or fluid hydration carrier.

As illustrated in FIG. 54F, the lacing system 10 or any other lacingsystem disclosed herein can be configured for use with a belt such asthe belt illustrated in FIG. 54F to at least control the tightness ofthe belt around a user's body. In the embodiment of the lacing system 10illustrated in FIG. 54F, the lacing system 10 can be configured so thatthe lace 20 is removably supported by the guide member 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 54G, the lacing system 10 or any other lacingsystem disclosed herein can be configured for use with a wrist support,wrist guard, cast, or other suitable objects (hereinafter, collectivelyreferred to as a wrist support) such as the wrist support illustrated inFIG. 54G to at least control the tightness of the wrist support around aportion of the user's arm.

As illustrated in FIG. 54H, the lacing system 10 or any other lacingsystem disclosed herein can be configured for use with a binding systemfor snowboarding, water skiing, or any other suitable object such as thebinding system illustrated in FIG. 54H to at least control the tightnessof the binding system relative to a user's foot.

The components of the lacing systems described herein can be formed fromany suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic, carbon orother fiber reinforced plastic, aluminum, steel, rubber, or any othersuitable material or combination of such materials. In some embodiments,the housing, spool, knob, lace guides, or any other suitable componentsdescribed herein can be injection molded or otherwise formed from anysuitable polymeric material, such as nylon, PVC or PET. Some of thecomponents described herein can be formed from a lubricious plastic suchas PTFE, or other material as can be determined through routineexperimentation, or reducing the friction between a lace and suchcomponents is desired. Additionally, some of the components describedherein can be coated or layered with a lubricious material to reduce thefriction with interacting components or parts.

In some embodiments, the lace or cable (or stop cord disclosed incertain embodiments) can be a highly lubricious cable or fiber having alow modulus of elasticity and a high tensile strength. In someembodiments, the cable can have multiple strands of material woventogether. While any suitable lace can be used, some embodiments canutilize a lace formed from extended chain, high modulus polyethylenefibers. One example of a suitable lace material is sold under the tradename SPECTRA™, manufactured by Honeywell of Morris Township, N.J. Theextended chain, high modulus polyethylene fibers advantageously have ahigh strength to weight ratio, are cut resistant, and have very lowelasticity. One preferred lace made of this material is tightly woven.The tight weave provides added stiffness to the completed lace. Theadditional stiffness provided by the weave offers enhanced pushability,such that the lace is easily threaded through the lace guides, and intothe reel and spool, or through the guides so as to form a loop of lacethat can be easily grasped by a user. Additionally, in some embodiments,the lace can be formed from a molded monofilament polymer. Inembodiments that include a stop cord, the stop cord can be made usingany of the materials or manners described above in connection with thecable or lace.

The lace or cable can have a diameter of at least about 0.02 inchesand/or no more than about 0.04 inches, or at least about 0.025 inchesand/or nor more than about 0.035 inches, although diameters outsidethese ranges can also be used. In some embodiments, the stop cord canhave a diameter of within the same ranges as provided for the lace orcable. In some embodiments, the stop cord can have a smaller diameterthan the lace. The stop cord can have a diameter of at least about 0.01inches and/or no more than about 0.03 inches. In some embodiments, thestop cord can have a diameter outside the ranges provided.

Though discussed in terms of footwear, which includes, but is notlimited to, ski boots, snow boots, ice skates, horseback riding boots,hiking shoes, running shoes, athletic shoes, specialty shoes, andtraining shoes, the lacing systems disclosed herein can also provideefficient and effective closure options in a number of various differentapplications. Such applications can include use in closure or attachmentsystems on backpacks packs and other similar articles, belts, waistlinesand/or cuffs of pants and jackets, neck straps and headbands forhelmets, gloves, bindings for water sports, snow sports, and otherextreme sports, or in any situation where a system for drawing twoobjects together can be advantageous.

Although disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments andexamples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodimentsto other alternative embodiments and/or uses and obvious modificationsand equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations havebeen shown and described in detail, other modifications, which arewithin the scope of this disclosure, will be readily apparent to thoseof skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplatedthat various combinations or subcombinations of the specific featuresand aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within thescope of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood thatvarious features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can becombined with or substituted for one another. Thus, it is intended thatthe scope of the disclosure should not be limited by the particulardisclosed embodiments described above.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A reel for use with a lacing system for tighteningan article comprising: a housing having an interior region; a spoolpositioned within the interior region of the housing and rotatablerelative thereto, the spool having a centrally positioned post; a knobrotatable relative to the housing and operably coupled with the spool,the knob being rotatable in a first direction relative to the housing tocause a corresponding incremental rotation of the spool within theinterior region of the housing to incrementally gather a tension memberaround the spool's centrally positioned post; an incremental releasemechanism that is operable to allow the spool to incrementally rotate ina second direction within the interior region of the housing toincrementally releases the tension member from the spool's centrallypositioned post; and a full release mechanism that is configured uponactuation to enable the tension member to be automatically released fromthe spool's centrally positioned post by allowing free rotation of thespool in the second direction within the interior region of the housing.22. The reel of claim 21, wherein the reel is configured so as to notsubstantially impede rotation of the spool in the first direction withinthe interior region of the housing; and wherein the reel is configuredso as to substantially impede the spool from rotating in the seconddirection within the interior region of the housing except uponoperation of the incremental release mechanism or the full releasemechanism.
 23. The reel of claim 21, wherein the incremental releasemechanism is actuated via rotation of the knob in the second direction.24. The reel of claim 21, wherein the full release mechanism is actuatedvia an operation of the knob.
 25. The reel of claim 24, wherein therelease mechanism is actuated by axially moving the knob relative to thehousing.
 26. The reel of claim 21, wherein the full release mechanismdisengages the spool from the housing to enable the tension member to beautomatically released from the spool's centrally positioned post. 27.The reel of claim 21, further comprising a stop mechanism that preventsthe spool from being rotated in the second direction after the tensionmember has been substantially fully loosened.
 28. The reel of claim 21,wherein both the incremental release mechanism and the full releasemechanism are actuated via an operation of the knob.
 29. A mechanism fortightening an article comprising: a housing having an interior region; aspool positioned within the interior region of the housing and rotatablerelative thereto, the spool having a centrally positioned post; anincremental tightening mechanism that is operably coupled with the spoolto cause the spool to incrementally rotate within the interior region ofthe housing in a first direction, wherein incremental rotation of thespool in the first direction incrementally gathers a tension memberabout the spool's centrally positioned post; an incremental releasemechanism that is operably coupled with the spool to cause the spool toincrementally rotate within the interior region of the housing in asecond direction, wherein incremental rotation of the spool in thesecond direction incrementally releases the tension member from aboutthe spool's centrally positioned post; and a full release mechanism thatis configured upon actuation to enable the tension member to beautomatically released from the spool's centrally positioned post byallowing free rotation of the spool in the second direction within theinterior region of the housing.
 30. The mechanism of claim 29, whereinthe mechanism is configured so as to not substantially impede rotationof the spool in the first direction within the interior region of thehousing; and wherein the mechanism is configured so as to substantiallyimpede the spool from rotating in the second direction within theinterior region of the housing except upon actuation of the incrementalrelease mechanism or the full release mechanism.
 31. The mechanism ofclaim 29, wherein the incremental tightening mechanism and theincremental release mechanism is a knob that is operably coupled withthe spool, the knob being rotatable in the first direction relative tothe housing and being rotatable in the second direction relative to thehousing to cause a corresponding rotation of the spool within theinterior region of the housing.
 32. The mechanism of claim 31, whereinthe full release mechanism is actuated by an operation of the knob. 33.The mechanism of claim 32, wherein the operation of the knob comprisesaxially moving the knob relative to the housing.
 34. The mechanism ofclaim 29, wherein the full release mechanism disengages the spool fromthe housing to enable the tension member to be automatically releasedfrom the spool's centrally positioned post.
 35. The mechanism of claim29, further comprising a stop mechanism that prevents the spool frombeing rotated in the second direction after the tension member has beensubstantially fully loosened.
 36. The mechanism of claim 29, wherein thestop mechanism comprises a stop cord that is operably coupled with thespool.
 37. A method of gathering and releasing cable from a reel for usewith an article comprising: accessing a reel comprising: a housinghaving an interior region; a spool positioned within the interior regionof the housing and rotatable relative thereto, the spool having acentrally positioned post; a knob rotatable relative to the housing andoperably coupled with the spool to cause the spool to rotate within theinterior region of the housing; an incremental release mechanism; and afull release mechanism; rotating the knob in a first direction relativeto the housing to cause a corresponding rotation of the spool within theinterior region of the housing to incrementally gather a tension memberabout the spool's centrally positioned post; operating the incrementalrelease mechanism to cause the spool to incrementally rotate in a seconddirection within the interior region of the housing to incrementallyrelease the tension member from about the spool's centrally positionedpost; and actuating the full release mechanism to enable the tensionmember to be automatically released from about the spool's centrallypositioned post by allowing free rotation of the spool in the seconddirection within the interior region of the housing.
 38. The method ofclaim 37, wherein operating the incremental release mechanism comprisesrotating the knob in the section direction relative to the housing. 39.The method of claim 37, wherein actuating the full release mechanismcomprises axially moving the knob relative to the housing
 40. The methodof claim 37, wherein the reel further comprises a stop mechanism thatprevents the spool from being rotated in the second direction after thetension member has been substantially fully loosened.